 Walls and trenches were constructed on both the east and west sides of the city, at a cost of over three hundred thousand dinars.Ballistas and mangonels were installed on the walls, and "war engines" designed to hinder enemy movement were placed in front of the city gates.The market awnings were removed so as to prevent them from being set on fire, and the areas outside the city were ploughed so that the mud would entrap the attackers.