Longest siege

[Didz]

The Seige of Troy, said to have lasted over ten years.

The Trojans were beseiged by an allied army of Achaean greek states numbering between 70,000 and 130,000 men. Excavation of the site beleived to have been the City of Troy suggest that contrary to the film depiction the Greeks constructed extensive seige works right around the city including a fully encircling wall with defensive towers. However, presumably there must have been some limitations as the city would have needed fresh supplies.

[Conradus]

I thought of Troy too, but the threadstarter said both sides needed gunpowder weapons. And though they had the gods, these obviously didn't use any rifles.

[The Stranger]

doesnt matter i think we have our winner... 16 years isnt something youre going to top easy...

what about the shortest war... thats always fun

[Didz]

45 minutes.

The Anglo-Zanzibar War was fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on 27 August 1896. With a duration of only 45 minutes, it holds the record of being the shortest war in recorded history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Zanzibar_War

[The Stranger]

yeah knew of it already :P still fun though