The Limes (pronounced Lie-mes) is the name of the Northern Roman border in Europe. In Latin, “limes” means boundary or pathway. It runs from the Black sea through Germany to the coast of the Netherlands, hugging the south bank of the Donau and the Rhine for most of its track. These rivers create an extra obstacle. The Limes marks the line the Romans retreated behind after giving up the conquest of Germania in 47 AD. This was decided after a series of humiliating defeats, the Varus disaster, which lost the Romans three full legions, the most notable. In England the Limes transects the island in the shape of the fortified Hadrian’s wall.
Where the Limes did not follow the bank of a river, the boundary was marked by a physical barrier, consisting of walls, palisades and ditches. At intervals there were openings, sometimes in the shape of a fortified gate, sometimes with just a watchtower or a small fortress guarding the gap. Along the entire Limes, watchtowers were erected within sight of each other, meant for keeping an eye on the daily state of affairs. These were used to relay messages, warning of impending unrest or attack.
Just behind the Limes the castella were situated, small forts measuring up to several acres, which normally housed a cohort (600 soldiers).
Where the Limes did not follow the bank of a river, the boundary was marked by a physical barrier, consisting of walls, palisades and ditches. At intervals there were openings, sometimes in the shape of a fortified gate, sometimes with just a watchtower or a small fortress guarding the gap. Along the entire Limes, watchtowers were erected within sight of each other, meant for keeping an eye on the daily state of affairs. These were used to relay messages, warning of impending unrest or attack.
Just behind the Limes the castella were situated, small forts measuring up to several acres, which normally housed a cohort (600 soldiers).
These castella were interconnected by the Limes road. In the Netherlands the Limes probably consisted of a string of 18 castella. Piers and jetties have been found at the castellan sites, where trade vessels, supply ships, troop transports and patrol vessels could dock. Near the forts a civilian dwelling often sprang up, housing the wives and children of the legionnaires, who couldn’t be married if they were not yet Roman citizens. It also housed craftsmen, traders, innkeepers, prostitutes en small farmers, catering to the daily needs of the soldiers. This vicus, as it was called, differed from Roman architecture of the fort. By and large, the houses were built along the lines of the late Iron Age. There was a lively trade between vicus and castellum and excavations of the vicus have yielded large quantities of Roman goods.
Although the Limes undoubtedly had a defensive function, it is not a strict defensive line as we know from later era. The defensive objects were simply too small to act as such. Much more the Limes acted as a symbol, marking the extent of the Roman governance and controlling the flow of people to and from the empire.
Although the Limes undoubtedly had a defensive function, it is not a strict defensive line as we know from later era. The defensive objects were simply too small to act as such. Much more the Limes acted as a symbol, marking the extent of the Roman governance and controlling the flow of people to and from the empire.
