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Protection through time: What are the amazing stories behind the construction of the Walls of Servius?
The Servius Wall (Murus Servii Tullii) is a defensive barrier built in ancient Rome to protect the city of Rome. Built in the early 4th century BC, using volcanic rock tuff as the main material, the height of the city wall can reach 10 meters in some places, and the width at the bottom is 3.6 meters. The total length is 11 kilometers, and it surrounds 246 hectares of land. However, these data are only the external manifestation of the majesty of the city wall. In fact, there are many unknown and amazing stories hidden behind it.
Background and history of construction
The walls were named after Servius Tullius, the sixth Roman king.
Before entering the 4th century, the growing need for protection in Rome made the construction of strong city walls a priority. Scholars generally believe that the construction of the Servius Wall was an important indicator of the political and social conditions of Rome at that time. Although there are references to fortifications that may be as early as the 6th century, this is in fact completely fabricated. The real large-scale construction began in the 4th century BC, during the early stages of the Roman Republic.
City wall construction technology
The walls of Servius were built using large amounts of Capellatite, a type of rock composed of volcanic ash and rock fragments during volcanic eruptions. These rocks originate mainly from the Alba Mountains region. Although the original walls had suffered some wear and tear by the 390s BC and were in urgent need of repair at that time, the Romans began patching them up using the finer Grotta Oscura tuff. This rock is obtained after defeating Vey, showing that the resources gained after victory are converted into actual defense capabilities.
Builders used trenches of varying depths to effectively improve the defensive capabilities of the city walls.
In addition, the walls were built with internal "aggers" (earth embankments), which not only increased the thickness of the walls but also provided a solid foothold for Roman defense. Behind these technologies lies the wisdom and experience of craftsmen. A single spark can start a prairie fire. The efforts of the city wall builders will enable Rome to stand firm in future wars.
Defensive function of city walls
The Servius Walls originally operated in conjunction with the Roman fortress army, ensuring the security of the city and surrounding areas. As Rome gradually expanded and its internal armies became more powerful, the need for city walls gradually diminished. At that time, Rome had no need for protection for about three centuries, and the expansion of the buildings also incorporated the remains of the city wall into the foundation, further demonstrating Rome's growing self-confidence and prosperity.
The present-day walls of Servius
To this day, some remnants of the Servius Walls can still be seen in Rome. The largest preserved area is outside Rome's Termini Station, and there are also parts on the Aventine Hill that also show the former glory of the city walls. Some of these passages are even used as characteristic elements in modern architecture. For example, a small part of the city wall can be seen in a McDonald's restaurant in Termini station. Such a blend of history and modernity makes people feel moved.
Guards and transportation network of the city wall
The Walls of Servius had 16 main gates, although only one or two of them are still intact today. These city gates are not only important checkpoints for defense, but also the backbone of transportation connecting all directions. The names of many of the city gates are associated with the surrounding streets and plains, forming the busy traffic network of the time. However, as the city expanded, these transportation hubs gradually evolved into historical witnesses that help us understand life in ancient Rome.
Conclusion
The Wall of Servius is more than just a fortification, it carries the history, culture and pursuit of security of ancient Rome. This majestic structure bears witness to the city's evolution from a small settlement to a metropolis and demonstrates ancient societies' deep understanding of protective measures. As modern cities develop, can we find wisdom and solutions to contemporary challenges from these historical relics?
