Tours: Roman Forts

Learn about the structure and operation of Roman forts.
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|-|The Castrum=
The size of a Roman military camp, known as a castrum, varied significantly depending on how many soldiers it needed to accommodate. However, they all shared common characteristics in design and construction, such as this fort before you, located in Cape Chersonesos.
|-|The Fortifications=
Rectangular in shape, the forts were heavily fortified by ramparts and a ditch system.
The walls were reinforced with parapets, essentially an extension at the roofline which allowed a protective barrier for patrolling soldiers.
Depending on the availability of materials, some forts were built with stone, timbers, stacked turf and, particularly in the eastern part of the Empire, baked brick.
|-|Spatial Organization=
Access doors on all four sides were each flanked by guard towers.
The commanding officer was positioned in the middle of the camp, giving him a clear view of the troops and the main gate.
|-|Thorough Planning=
Along with sleeping barracks for the soldiers, the fort also had a granary that was expected to hold rations for a year or longer.
To ensure the health of the soldiers, every camp was equipped with medical staff and a hospital. A clean water supply with conduits for a bathhouse and latrines was included in the construction of every fort.
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Category:Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt