BEFORE THE CASTLE: THE FORTRESSES THAT SHAPED MEDIEVAL EUROPE

Kaufmann, J. E.; Kaufmann, H. W.

Castrum to Castle: Classical to Medieval Fortifications in the Lands of the Western Roman Empire

Philadelphia: Pen & Sword Military, 2018.

The story of how Rome's military fortifications evolved into the castles that dominated medieval Europe.

Tracing nearly a millennium of military architecture, J. E. and H. W. Kaufmann examine the transformation of Roman frontier forts into the castles of the medieval West. Combining archaeology, architectural analysis, and military history, the authors illustrate how changing warfare, political authority, and engineering shaped the evolution of defensive structures across the former Western Roman Empire.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Hardcover with dust jacket. Quarto; 10 inches tall; 278 pages. Illustrated throughout. Includes notes, glossary, bibliography, and index. Illustrated in full color.

CONDITION: New. No flaws or blemishes; gift quality.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: THE EVOLUTION OF FORTIFICATION —
Rather than treating Roman forts and medieval castles as separate subjects, this study demonstrates the architectural and strategic continuity between the two traditions. Drawing upon archaeological evidence and historical sources, the authors show how centuries of military adaptation transformed the Roman castrum into the fortified castles that became defining features of medieval Europe. The work contributes to the study of military architecture by placing medieval fortifications within their broader historical development.

SUBJECTS: Roman Empire, Castrum, Medieval Castles, Fortifications, Military Engineering, Archaeology, Western Roman Empire, Defensive Architecture, Medieval History; Military History; Military Architecture.

Item #22165

Price: $24.00