Poliops

Poliops (singular: poliops) is an archaic term, primarily found in historical and classical texts, used to refer to a military engineer or a person skilled in the art of siegecraft. The word derives from the Greek "poliorketes," meaning "besieger of cities" or "taker of cities." The role of a poliops encompassed the design, construction, and deployment of siege engines, fortifications, and other military technologies used to overcome fortified positions. A poliops would also be responsible for planning and executing the overall siege strategy, including the placement of artillery, the breaching of walls, and the coordination of assault troops.

While "engineer" can be considered a modern equivalent, "poliops" carries a more specific connotation tied to ancient warfare and siege tactics. Individuals referred to as poliops often held positions of considerable authority within a military structure, due to the importance of their expertise in capturing fortified settlements. The success or failure of a siege often depended directly on the skills and knowledge of the poliops. They were essential for projecting military power against fortified settlements, a critical aspect of ancient warfare. The field of siegecraft itself was known as poliorketika.