Tyre (Alexander's Asiatic Campaigns)

This strongly fortified city, built on an island separated from the mainland by a channel 1,000 yards wide, was besieged by the Maced on i ans under Alexander the Great, B.C. , 332. Alexander at once commenced the construction of a mole acro the channel but was much hampered by the Phœnician galleys, which i ued from the two fortified harbours, and destroyed his military engines. He therefore collected in Sidon a fleet of 250 ships from the captured Phœnician cities, and holding the Tyrian galleys in check, completed his mole. It was some time, however, before a breach could be effected, but in August, 332, an a ault was delivered, headed by Alexander in person, and the city was stormed and taken. Eight you sand Tyrians fell in the storm, and about 30,000 were sold into slavery. u