The Top Ten: Sieges

From the legendary Troy to anarchists in Sidney Street and the fictional Helm's Deep...

Legendary: Brad Pitt stars as Achilles in Troy (Rex Features)

This started because friends at the 'New Statesman' had a debate, verging on the Alan Partridge, about the all-time best beleaguerments. One of the most popular lists of all time, this

1. Troy, c.1200 BC: I'll allow one legendary one, Daniel Cressey, because of the horse.

2. Sparta, 272 BC: Besieged unsuccessfully by Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose earlier invasion of Italy succeeded at such cost as to give rise to the phrase "pyrrhic victory". Chris Sladen recalls Philip of Macedon's even earlier message to the Spartans, "If I enter Laconia, I will raze Sparta to the ground," and the reply (hence "laconic"), "If." Philip decided to give Sparta a miss.

3. Masada, 73-74 AD: Mountaintop site of mass suicide of Jewish rebels against Roman rule. From Aric Gilinsky.

4. Constantinople, 674-678, 1204, 1453: Nominated by Richard Gadsden and Omer Lev, but 14 other sieges were asked to be taken into consideration. No wonder the Turks moved the capital to Ankara.

5. Antioch, 1097-98: "Besieged by Crusaders; captured; besieged by Muslims; a priest 'discovered' the Holy Lance and a load of starving, delirious Crusaders marched out; freaked-out besiegers fled," says Martin Belam.

6. Harfleur, 1415: It lasted only a month and not much is known, but it features in Shakespeare's Henry V.

7. Malta, 1565: (tide turned against Ottomans) or 1940-42 (tide turned against the Axis) From Richard Gadsden, David Bishop, Issy Flamel, Andy M and Gavin Hamilton.

8. Leiden, 1573-74: Dykes cut by Dutch rebels, so besieging Spaniards fled. Rescuers fed starving people herring and bread, annually commemorated since. Thanks to Angela Thackray and Henk van Klaveren.

9. Sidney Street, 1911: Anarchists who had killed police were cornered in east London. Winston Churchill, 36-year-old Home Secretary, rashly attended. Nominated by David Boothroyd.

10. Helm's Deep, 2758–2759 of the Third Age: I allowed one legendary siege, so I'll have one fictional one, too.

Next week: Songs that begin with 'And' (starting with 'Jerusalem')

Coming soon: Political operations (William Hague's plan to hold shadow cabinet meetings outside London was called Operation Starburst). Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk