Near the gate, an iron-capped oaken pole was covered by a wall of tightly knit shields from above, the front and the sides. A wooden frame with a thick roof covered by various leather hides was carried by another three dozen Unsullied behind them. Yet as soon as it reached the gates, the contents of two large cauldrons of tar were poured onto the wooden roof, followed by a fiery arrow. The defenders dropped large rocks from above, and before the oaken battering ram could be tied to the wooden frames, the woodwork broke under the onslaught. More tar and pitch were dropped, and soon the shouts of pain and agony accompanied the acrid smell of burning tar and roast meat.