The Lamanites, led by their king Ammoron, a Zoramite by birth, took Cumeni and three other cities, Manti, Zeezrom, and Antiparah. ([[s:Book of Mormon/Alma#56 31|Alma56 31]]). The Nephites kept spies about to make sure the Lamanites did not attack the cities to the north ([[s:Book of Mormon/Alma#56 22|Alma56 22]]). But the Lamanites would not leave their fortifications, and they dared not attack the cities to the north, nor march down to Zarahemla, nor cross the head of Sidon over to Nephihah ([[s:Book of Mormon/Alma#56 24|Alma56 24-25]]). After battles with Lamanites in other cities, the Nephites laid siege to Cumeni until the Lamanites surrendered the city ([[s:Book of Mormon/Alma#57 7|Alma57 7-8, 12]]).