The vast multitude of seamen, collected out of the three fleets, finished in a few days all the works requisite for the siege of a city so strongly fortified, both on the land side and on that next the sea.
Covered galleries were soon brought up; the wall was undermined, and, at the same time, shaken with battering rams.

By the frequent shocks given with these, one of the towers was thrown down, and, by its fall, the adjoining wall on each side was laid flat.

The Romans, on this, attempted to force in, both on the side next the port, to which the approach was more level than to the rest, hoping to divert the enemy's attention from the more open passage, and, at the same time, to enter the breach caused by the falling of the wall.

They were near effecting their design of penetrating into the town, when the assault was suspended by the prospect which was held out of the surrender of the city.

This however, was subsequently dissipated.