Epimachus of Athens
Encyclopedia
Epimachus of Athens was a renowned Athenian
engineer and architect who is known to have constructed the Helepolis
(literally, Taker of Cities), a huge siege machine first conceptualised by Demetrius I of Macedon
and built to be employed in the unsuccessful siege of Rhodes.
at around 305 BC, but it was Epimachus of Athens who actually co-ordinated the construction of the siege machine. Assuming the figures recorded in the writings of several ancient historians, including Dioeclides of Abdera, Vitruvius
and Plutarch
are accurate, the Helepolis was and remains the largest siege machine ever erected; it was a colossal, tapered, tower-like structure 60 feet (20 metres approx.) in width, with each side over 125 feet (42 metres approx.) high. It rested on eight, 12 feet (3.7 m) high wheels, allowing mobility, and it also had caster
s to accommodate lateral movement.
All exposed sides of the helepolis were rigidly defended; iron plates protected the wooden structure from possible inflammation, and additional defences, such as great stretches of hide
plastered on the interior, were placed to withstand the power of ballista
and catapult
assault. The inside of the machine was divided into nine separate stories, each accessible through a long flight of stairs that wound from the ground floor to the very top. Over 3,600 men were needed as crew, working in relays to drive the helepolis, which weighed over 160 tons.
In addition to being strongly defended, the helepolis was powerfully armed; several catapults and balistas were placed on each of the floors, each outlooking the battlefield through large shutters. On the higher floors, dart throwers, among others, were stationed.
over 60 metres long, requiring over 1000 men to operate, and which was also designed by Epimachus of Athens.
After the siege, the Helepolis was abandoned near Rhodes, despite Demetrius' desire to keep it from harm during the Siege. The people of Rhodes melted down its metal plating and used the materials to build the Colossus of Rhodes
.
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
engineer and architect who is known to have constructed the Helepolis
Helepolis
Helepolis was an ancient siege engine invented by Polyidus of Thessaly and improved by Demetrius I of Macedon and Epimachus of Athens for the unsuccessful siege of Rhodes, based on an earlier, less massive design used against Salamis...
(literally, Taker of Cities), a huge siege machine first conceptualised by Demetrius I of Macedon
Demetrius I of Macedon
Demetrius I , called Poliorcetes , son of Antigonus I Monophthalmus and Stratonice, was a king of Macedon...
and built to be employed in the unsuccessful siege of Rhodes.
Life
Few particular details are known about Epimachus of Athen's life. He built other unique siege weapons, aside from the Helepolis, some for Demetrius I of Macedon, and others for various other leaders and warlords. Of these other siege weapons was a large battering ram over 60 metres long. Many of his creations had visible effects on future siege engineering, hundreds of years later, and the design for the Helepolis in particular had effects on future designs; the term Helepolis endured for many centuries after the "original", used for any similar, tower-like siege machine.The Helepolis
The design for the Helepolis was based on that of an earlier and smaller siege machine, used against SalamisSalamis Island
Salamis , is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile off-coast from Piraeus and about 16 km west of Athens. The chief city, Salamina , lies in the west-facing core of the crescent on Salamis Bay, which opens into the Saronic Gulf...
at around 305 BC, but it was Epimachus of Athens who actually co-ordinated the construction of the siege machine. Assuming the figures recorded in the writings of several ancient historians, including Dioeclides of Abdera, Vitruvius
Vitruvius
Marcus Vitruvius Pollio was a Roman writer, architect and engineer, active in the 1st century BC. He is best known as the author of the multi-volume work De Architectura ....
and Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia...
are accurate, the Helepolis was and remains the largest siege machine ever erected; it was a colossal, tapered, tower-like structure 60 feet (20 metres approx.) in width, with each side over 125 feet (42 metres approx.) high. It rested on eight, 12 feet (3.7 m) high wheels, allowing mobility, and it also had caster
Caster
A caster is an undriven, single, double, or compound wheel that is designed to be mounted to the bottom of a larger object so as to enable that object to be easily moved...
s to accommodate lateral movement.
All exposed sides of the helepolis were rigidly defended; iron plates protected the wooden structure from possible inflammation, and additional defences, such as great stretches of hide
Hides
A hide is an animal skin treated for human use. Hides include leather from cattle and other livestock animals, alligator skins, snake skins for shoes and fashion accessories and furs from wild cats, mink and bears. In some areas, leather is produced on a domestic or small industrial scale, but most...
plastered on the interior, were placed to withstand the power of ballista
Ballista
The ballista , plural ballistae, was an ancient missile weapon which launched a large projectile at a distant target....
and catapult
Catapult
A catapult is a device used to throw or hurl a projectile a great distance without the aid of explosive devices—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines. Although the catapult has been used since ancient times, it has proven to be one of the most effective mechanisms during...
assault. The inside of the machine was divided into nine separate stories, each accessible through a long flight of stairs that wound from the ground floor to the very top. Over 3,600 men were needed as crew, working in relays to drive the helepolis, which weighed over 160 tons.
The siege
Despite the seemingly indestructible design of the Helepolis, many of the iron plates were dislodged during the siege, rendering the great machine highly vulnerable. Fearing that the laboriously constructed Helepolis would fall victim to the intense fire that was directed towards it, Demetrius I of Macedon ordered that it be withdrawn from the war field to prevent any further damage. Following a long period of assault, the siege was abandoned after it was realised that the fortifications of Rhodes were too powerful and well defended. Among other uniquely designed siege machines employed by Demetrius was a giant ramBattering ram
A battering ram is a siege engine originating in ancient times and designed to break open the masonry walls of fortifications or splinter their wooden gates...
over 60 metres long, requiring over 1000 men to operate, and which was also designed by Epimachus of Athens.
After the siege, the Helepolis was abandoned near Rhodes, despite Demetrius' desire to keep it from harm during the Siege. The people of Rhodes melted down its metal plating and used the materials to build the Colossus of Rhodes
Colossus of Rhodes
The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek Titan Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos between 292 and 280 BC. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was constructed to celebrate Rhodes' victory over the ruler of...
.