Chap IV.

ROMAN.

91

in height from 25 to 30 feet, according to the inequality of tiie ground : at unequalintervals, towers were built, 27 feet by 33 feet, which projected 7 feet from the outer face:their walls were 3 feet, in thickness, also formed of rubble.

Embattled walls were raised upon the inner as well as outer edge of the rampart, thatnext the city being some feet higher than the other; these were formed of large stones2 feet 6 inches thick, and each battlement had a return wall more effectually to protectthe defender. Between these walls was a wide walk that passed through arched door-ways made through the towers.

The outer walls of the towers have fallen ; generally they were divided by a wall, forthe purposes of strength, and arched over at the top, to allow the walk to continueuninterrupted around the battlements. The entrance to the city from Herculaneum consisted of an outer and inner wall, each having three arched openings, the space beingleft open to the sky : this was about 42 feet in extent, and 47 feet in depth. The lateralgates for foot passengers were two arched openings on each side. The centre was guardedby a portcullis about 7 feet distance from the face of the front wall.

In Italy, the south of France , and the towns scattered over Asia, may be found thewalls and defences as set up by the Romans: they afford us the best commentary onthe art of war, and the ingenuity practised by their engineers. A work of greatinterest might be compiled upon this fruitful subject; the architect would find study forthe best construction, and the proportions which many of the entrance gates of theseRoman cities exhibit are extremely beautiful.

The Gate of Augustus at Fano is a fine example of the entrance to a city, the lowerportions of which are of great antiquity. Fanum Fortuna? was the name the city formerlybore, which, for its sumptuous buildings, was greatly admired. There are three entrances,Hanked by circular towers, which rise to a considerable height, the two upper stories beinglighted by semicircular-headed openings, and crowned with a bold projecting cornice,

Fig. 108.

FANO.

over which is the battlement. Immediately over the three entrances was a gallery,formed by seven arches, between Corinthian pilasters, and surmounted by a regular enta-blature. The repairs these walls underwent during the reign of Constantine somewhatchanged their character, and since that period the upper story was destroyed by a cannonadingwhich took place when this town opposed Julius II . Various inscriptions remain amidthe several works of restoration.