The siege of Magdeburg began as part of the larger conflict known as the Thirty Years' War, which spanned from 1618 to 1648 and involved numerous European powers grappling with political, religious, and territorial disputes. By May 1631, the city, which had been a center of Protestant resistance against Catholic imperial forces, faced an onslaught from the army of the Holy Roman Empire, commanded by General Tilly. Tilly’s troops aimed to quash the Protestant uprising in Saxony and restore Catholic dominance. Despite its fortified defenses, Magdeburg was besieged for weeks, leading to severe food shortages and desperation among its residents. Once the city fell, the consequences were dire. On May 20, 1631, Tilly's forces entered Magdeburg and engaged in widespread looting and killing, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of its populace. Historical accounts suggest that the scale of violence was unprecedented, with estimates of those killed ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 people, including men, women, and children. The brutality of the assault left a lasting scar on the collective memory of the region and the war.