siege tower

This term refers to a specialized piece of heavy military engineering. It is distinct from a simple ladder or a ramp, as it provides overhead protection for the troops inside, shielding them from projectiles like arrows or boiling oil during the approach to a fortification.

In historical and archaeological contexts, the term is used specifically for the wooden structures of the ancient and medieval eras. It is rarely used in modern military terminology, as contemporary siege warfare relies on artillery and aerial bombardment rather than physical scaling structures.