What do you think?
Rate this book
Osprey Fortress #71
The Walls of Rome
Having defeated a Germanic invasion of northern Italy, the Emperor Aurelian surrounded Rome with a powerful circuit of walls. This great fortification is one of the best preserved of all city walls in the Roman Empire and remains a dramatic feature of Rome today, representing the most emblematic and the most enduring monument of Aurelian's age. Nothing else so eloquently demonstrates that, by Aurelian's day, the empire was on the defensive. Although embellished, strengthened and restored many times down the ages, Aurelian's original structure remained the basis of the city's defences through to the mid-19th century, when the Republican forces under Giuseppe Garibaldi managed for some time to withstand the French, and is still discernible today along much of the walls' circuit.
This title describes Aurelian's Wall in detail with cut-away cross sections, and investigates its historical purpose and military effectiveness within the general context of late Roman fortifications. A final section follows the history of the Wall's continued use beyond the Romano-Byzantine period, and provides an invaluable tourist aid.
This title describes Aurelian's Wall in detail with cut-away cross sections, and investigates its historical purpose and military effectiveness within the general context of late Roman fortifications. A final section follows the history of the Wall's continued use beyond the Romano-Byzantine period, and provides an invaluable tourist aid.
- GenresHistoryMilitary History
64 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2008
26 people want to read
About the author
Nic Fields
84 books21 followersDr Nic Fields started his career as a biochemist before joining the Royal Marines. Having left the Navy, he went back to University and completed a BA and PhD in Ancient History at the University of Newcastle. He was Assistant Director at the British School of Archaeology, Athens, and is now a lecturer in Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 23, 2023
THE WALLS OF ROME deserved the 5 stars though it didn't start out that way. There were a lot of references to streets, gates, and buildings which are in Rome and when reading about them in their Latin names I was entirely lost at times. So while this is a good book for a serious student of the topic, little old me just skimmed over those passages.
On a serious note, besides the usual photos and color plates, there was a chronology, maps, glossary and abbreviations section. Add to that the directions for sightseeing.
When talking about the walls of Rome, you are talking about over a thousand years of the fortifications' history. Background information is given as to the what, when, and why of the city's walls. Originally the walls were a simple wooden stockade and ditch that didn't even encompass the whole city. Later, walls of stone were erected around the seven or eight hills of Rome, but who's counting. Walls were referred to as 'curtains' which stretched from one tower to the next. The strongest towers flanked the city gates. In time the walls of cut stone gave way to concrete walls with brick facing. And the walls got higher. Of special note was that as the wall was laid out, it was connected to any monument, tomb or building in order to save on materials.
At some points civilian builders erected portions of the wall instead of military engineers, and it showed, but they had to make due with who and what was available at the time. Like many of the various engineers I have worked with, you can't tell them anything because they think they know best. One such engineer by the name of Michelangelo was in an argument with another engineer when he was quoted as saying, "I do not know very much about painting and sculpture, but I have gained a great experience of fortifications, and I have already proved that I know more about them than you and the whole tribe of the Sangallos." Another man, Leonardo da Vinci became the inspector of fortresses for Cesare Borgia. The German artist Albrecht Durer, having studied in Italy, took blueprints home with him.
At one time the popes owned the most land in Italy and Sicily. They were often the ones to build the later fortifications.
Over time the walls (curtains) and the towers changed. They were made taller. Most invaders into the peninsula lacked the knowledge and equipment for siege operations. From the tall towers ancient artillery in the form of a bolt shooting weapon called 'ballistae' were accurate out to about 400 meters. Add in the archers and one had a pretty good defense.
With the coming of gunpowder tactics and fortifications changed. Cannon could do the work in hours what it took stone throwing machines to do in days. And once the tall curtain fell by cannon fire the hole was larger too. So fortifications were now lower and thicker, and geometric designs became a fine art.
This history wouldn't have been complete without mentioning Garibaldi's defense of Rome, and it is explained here.
I saw on a show about an elite military force who referred to officers as 'cake eaters.' Imagine my surprise when I read in the glossary that armed retainers of a Roman commander were referred to as 'bucellarii,' which means 'biscuit-eaters.' Some things never change.
I would recommend this book to anyone going sightseeing in Rome. It tells you where to see examples of the various types of walls from over the years, such as a fine example of the Servian wall surrounded by tables in the McDonald's restaurant!
On a serious note, besides the usual photos and color plates, there was a chronology, maps, glossary and abbreviations section. Add to that the directions for sightseeing.
When talking about the walls of Rome, you are talking about over a thousand years of the fortifications' history. Background information is given as to the what, when, and why of the city's walls. Originally the walls were a simple wooden stockade and ditch that didn't even encompass the whole city. Later, walls of stone were erected around the seven or eight hills of Rome, but who's counting. Walls were referred to as 'curtains' which stretched from one tower to the next. The strongest towers flanked the city gates. In time the walls of cut stone gave way to concrete walls with brick facing. And the walls got higher. Of special note was that as the wall was laid out, it was connected to any monument, tomb or building in order to save on materials.
At some points civilian builders erected portions of the wall instead of military engineers, and it showed, but they had to make due with who and what was available at the time. Like many of the various engineers I have worked with, you can't tell them anything because they think they know best. One such engineer by the name of Michelangelo was in an argument with another engineer when he was quoted as saying, "I do not know very much about painting and sculpture, but I have gained a great experience of fortifications, and I have already proved that I know more about them than you and the whole tribe of the Sangallos." Another man, Leonardo da Vinci became the inspector of fortresses for Cesare Borgia. The German artist Albrecht Durer, having studied in Italy, took blueprints home with him.
At one time the popes owned the most land in Italy and Sicily. They were often the ones to build the later fortifications.
Over time the walls (curtains) and the towers changed. They were made taller. Most invaders into the peninsula lacked the knowledge and equipment for siege operations. From the tall towers ancient artillery in the form of a bolt shooting weapon called 'ballistae' were accurate out to about 400 meters. Add in the archers and one had a pretty good defense.
With the coming of gunpowder tactics and fortifications changed. Cannon could do the work in hours what it took stone throwing machines to do in days. And once the tall curtain fell by cannon fire the hole was larger too. So fortifications were now lower and thicker, and geometric designs became a fine art.
This history wouldn't have been complete without mentioning Garibaldi's defense of Rome, and it is explained here.
I saw on a show about an elite military force who referred to officers as 'cake eaters.' Imagine my surprise when I read in the glossary that armed retainers of a Roman commander were referred to as 'bucellarii,' which means 'biscuit-eaters.' Some things never change.
I would recommend this book to anyone going sightseeing in Rome. It tells you where to see examples of the various types of walls from over the years, such as a fine example of the Servian wall surrounded by tables in the McDonald's restaurant!
August 14, 2025
For a city as ancient as Rome, it’s fitting that its fortifications have a history as long and layered as the city itself. In this book, Nic Fields dispels several common misconceptions—chief among them the idea that the so-called Servian Wall dates from the reign of Servius Tullius. In fact, the structure we know by that name is a 4th-century BC wall.
In Rome’s early history, its defenses were not particularly formidable, as most wars were fought far from the city. Major improvements came in the 3rd century AD under Emperor Aurelian, who dramatically heightened the walls and towers. These Aurelian Walls were later repaired and reinforced by Maxentius.
With the arrival of cannon, however, the proud walls of Rome lost much of their protective value. The taller they were, the faster they crumbled under artillery fire, prompting the construction of new forts using the trace italienne method.
Fields provides an excellent technical overview of Rome’s walls through the centuries, while also recounting the city’s encounters with the Visigoths, Vandals, and the legendary defense by Belisarius.
As expected from Osprey, the book is richly illustrated with detailed artwork and well-chosen photographs, making it as visually engaging as it is informative. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the military architecture of one of the world’s oldest cities.
In Rome’s early history, its defenses were not particularly formidable, as most wars were fought far from the city. Major improvements came in the 3rd century AD under Emperor Aurelian, who dramatically heightened the walls and towers. These Aurelian Walls were later repaired and reinforced by Maxentius.
With the arrival of cannon, however, the proud walls of Rome lost much of their protective value. The taller they were, the faster they crumbled under artillery fire, prompting the construction of new forts using the trace italienne method.
Fields provides an excellent technical overview of Rome’s walls through the centuries, while also recounting the city’s encounters with the Visigoths, Vandals, and the legendary defense by Belisarius.
As expected from Osprey, the book is richly illustrated with detailed artwork and well-chosen photographs, making it as visually engaging as it is informative. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the military architecture of one of the world’s oldest cities.
December 26, 2014
A detailed and fascinating look at the various city walls of Rome from the earliest days to the medieval period and beyond. The history, building techniques and defensive qualities of the walls are discussed and illustrated with photographs and reconstruction drawings.
Obviously the specific nature of this book does limit its appeal to the general reader but the quality of the work and clear presentation allows what would initially seem an academic text to be very accessible and interesting to anyone with any level of interest in history or fortification.
Obviously the specific nature of this book does limit its appeal to the general reader but the quality of the work and clear presentation allows what would initially seem an academic text to be very accessible and interesting to anyone with any level of interest in history or fortification.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews