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South Tower, Tiryns
Detail of the 'Cyclopean' walls of the south tower of Mycenaean Tiryns (13th century BCE).
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Acropolis of Argos
The Hill of Larissa, site of the ancient acropolis of Argos (6th to 5th century BCE). Visible today are the fortifications of the 10th century CE which incorporated some of the ancient polygonal walls, particularly on the north side.
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A portion of wall at Mari
A portion of the fortifications at the site of Mari, modern-day Tell Hariri, Syria. Mari's fortifications entered their most advanced stage in the 19th century BCE when the city and the rest of the region were under threat from Amorite invaders...
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Citadel of Mycenae
The view to the south from the upper citadel of Mycenae looking towards Argos (1350 BCE).
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Six-Chambered Gate at Tel Gezer
The six-chambered gate at Tel Gezer in modern-day Israel. This Iron Age gate was once thought built by King Solomon, however recent scholarship has cast doubt on this idea, with some scientific evidence pointing to a later date of construction...
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Akrokorinth
Akrokorinth as seen from the second gate
Fortifications dating back to classical times and used continually down to the Venetians
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Frontiers of the Roman Empire (UNESCO/NHK)
The 'Roman Limes' represents the border line of the Roman Empire at its greatest extent in the 2nd century AD. It stretched over 5,000 km from the Atlantic coast of northern Britain, through Europe to the Black Sea, and from there to the...
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Roman Walls of Lugo (UNESCO/NHK)
The walls of Lugo in northern Spain were built in the later part of the 3rd century A.D. to defend the Roman town of Lucus. The entire circuit survives intact and is the finest example of late Roman fortifications in western Europe. Source...
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Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire existed from 330 to 1453. It is often called the Eastern Roman Empire or simply Byzantium. The Byzantine capital was founded at Constantinople by Constantine I (r. 306-337). The Byzantine Empire varied in size over the...
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Mansa Musa I - The Richest Man in History?
Mansa Musa I was the ruler of the Mali Empire in West Africa from 1312 to 1337. Controlling territories rich in gold and copper, and monopolising trade between the north and interior of the continent, Mali grew extremely wealthy. Mansa Musa...