T. E. Lawrence’s Undergraduate Dissertation – Page 86

should be shut before the other was opened : and so surprise would be made impossible. At Timgad ( Plan 17. ) these two systems were combined into one extremely formidable entry. Of other details it is worth noting that the chemin de ronde had frequently to be carried on corbelling or on arcades, owing to the slightness of the walls, as at Antioch and elsewhere : and that no machicoulis of any sort or pattern appear on any known Byzantine fortress prior to the 13th century. One can only conclude that they were unknown. In plan Byzantine castles are found of two kinds : one a derivation of Roman camps, square with towers at the angles, and if the curtain is over-long, wall towers as well at rare intervals. The other is the fortress built on some easily defended position, following in its lines the contour of the ground. Generally, however, the Byzantine fortresses are not skilfully placed, as regards defence : they are frequently overlooked in an extraordinary manner from hills close by : and they never preferred a defensible post to one strategically important as the Crusaders so often did. The Greeks put their buildings where they were wanted : the Franks where they would be impregnable. The Greek forts were defended by the size of their garrisons, the depth of their ditches, and the efficiency of their army in the field; The Latin fortresses by their carefully schemed covering fire, and the natural advantages of their position. (1) At Constantinople 160 feet apart in places.