Strong defenses were an important part of the immense Roman Empire, so forts were built at strategic locations throughout the countryside from which troops could patrol. As rebellions were common, every town was protected by a massive wall as well.

To construct this wall, a huge ditch was dug heaping the dirt in the center of the ditch providing a core for the wall. The actual wall, nine feet thick, was then built on either side of the core with stone bricks. The inner wall was the highest so as not to let attackers fire into the town. And the outer wall was begun several feet below the ground to discourage tunneling. The stones were connected with metal clamps, making it difficult to break down.

In order to enter a town, citizens had to pass through a gatehouse. Each gatehouse was basically a small castle with quarters for soldiers, weapons, and food storage. In case of attack, soldiers could fire down upon the intruders using their spears, arrows, javelins, or the ballista (weapon which fired large arrows).

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