I need resources on fortifications, please.

[Freiya Fireheart]

I'm doing research for this. Specifically, I need Roman, Egyptian, Greek, Asian (specifically Chinese and Japanese), and Middle Eastern fortresses. European and Modern fortresses I have well covered in books I own. Websites and other free sources are preferred, as any books have to be obtained from the local library, which has surprisingly little on the subject, despite typically having an exemplary selection.

If anyone has resources they could point me to, I would be very grateful.

[,]

I have a friend who is also quite taken with structures and fortifications through out history. I shall endeavor to plumb the depths of their knowledge and book collection whence next I have the opportunity.

That being said, my shift work and their shift work schedules will now not meet up again for another four or so days...so in the mean time I wish you all the very best in your searching and off the top of my head might I suggest the 'Osprey' line of historical books? I have found their level of art and writing to be both readable, understandable, concise and cheap.

Best wishes to you and yours.

[Freiya Fireheart]

Thank you. I shall look them up.

[,]

Marshal Vauban 17th: Century French genius. Responsible for the classic 'Star-forts' and cities built to resist siege and attack from artillery.

The sort of thing people who resist Giant attacks might learn. Also, in regards to Giant attacks, ancient Celtic hill fortifications and Germanic/Viking types of defenses would work well. Since, from historical records, Celtic forts resisted Roman siege weapons reasonably well.

Roman Field fortifications. (Osprey Books)

Greece and Rome at war (Publisher unknown at this time)

The works of Leonardo Da Vincey

Wiki-pedia may have some useful leads (I myself learned much about Naval guns this way)

Chines Walled Cities (Osprey publications)

Weapons through the ages (by Walter Reid: Published by 'Peerage books' ISBN 0 907408 90 7. Printed in America under the title "Arms through the ages")

Mycenae Fortifications (Osprey Books)

Stephen Turnbull's works on medieval Japanese Samurai warrior society.

So, unfortunately as vague as the notes seem, I hope these leads prove useful to you in your works. My friend and I give them with good faith and much regards. *Bows*

Much cheers to you and yours.

[Shadowborn]

For the Middle East, the most famous fortress is probably Masada.

[,]

About Masada:

Not wanting to derail the request for help, but the value of Masada would be? The interesting remains of Roman siege engineering, perhaps? As far as defensive works go, Masada is nothing really special. It is just a very good use of terrain. Ergo, if you have a ruddy tall plateau with only one narrow path onto/into it, then as a place to site a defensive structure, it is kind of a foregone conclusion. There are other examples of such geography being used for such purposes scattered all over the place, I believe Scotland is full of such. The fact that the Celts would build artificial islands, or 'Cranog', on/in lakes is possibly of more interest. Again, not wanting to seem snakry, what do you find impressive about its construction. Not its placement? Another example of impressive stones stacked upon a hill top in the Middle east might be the 'Krak Des Chevaliers' as an example. *Bows* Much cheers to you and yours.

[Crimson Jester]

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