T. E. Lawrence’s Undergraduate Dissertation – Page 74

followed him, that they made hardly any improvements. The great fortresses which the Crusaders came upon in their march, Nicaea, Antioch, Edessa, are standing to-day perfect examples of the style developed by the Emperor, and the architects whom he instructed. Constantinople of course was in theory earlier; but it shows how nearly allied was Justinian's work with that of his predecessors. There is, however, very little variation in the Emperor's plans. He was a pedant, and laid down for his fortresses exact rules which his lieutenants were generally unable to refuse, except in cases of exceptional taste or on some unimportant occasion. Save for such buildings, we find Procopius' instructions excellently well illustrated in Greek military engineering. First of all it departed from the Roman system of a line of camps at intervals along a frontier, as bases for a vigorous offensive. Justinian ordered a line of small strongholds along the frontier, much more closely placed than were the Roman camps, but of less size, and weaker quality. Their efficiency deterred the private raider, the artist on a small scale, sufficiently well. Against a strong attack they were only to serve as signal posts, and as outposts to delay the enemy a day or two, until the people of the province and their goods had been gathered within the second line of defence. This was composed of central citadels, erected as (1) Proc. de Aed. p. 268, ed. Bonn.