When Hiero II died, Syracuse ended its treaty with Rome and allied with Carthage. The Roman Senate voted for war and appointed Consul Marcellus to lead it. He besieged the city from 214 to 212 BC. Syracuse was, however, defended not only by its army but also by Archimedes with his war machines. Claws, catapults and burning mirrors repelled attacks from the sea as Syracuse strenuously defended itself, only capitulating after traitors opened the city gates to allow the Romans to enter by night and seize the city. The fall of Syracuse was an event of epoch-making proportions for the entire Mediterranean civilisation.
Syracuse's mighty defence system consisted in its complex of walls (urban ones protecting the city and ports and extra-urban ones around the vast Epipoli plain) and the Eurialo fortress (Ευρύαλος = nail, for its point-shaped), which closed the only accessible point toward the terrace above the city. With a rampart and five towers preceded by deep moats, it was defended to the western side by an impressive wall where a trapezoidal shape gate with a pincers frame protected the access. Archimedes' contribution to the Syracusan defence against the Roman assault availed of this system. Developed and modified over previous centuries, it was adapted for the new projectile systems - hugely powerful and with sophisticated aim - and strengthened with the installation of defence devices such as the catapult and ballista.
