Publisher's Synopsis
The art of fortification had reached a high state of development even at the dawn of history. Powerful military works, dating from the remotest periods, have been found in Asia Minor, in Greece and in the basins of the Tigris, the Euphrates and the Nile rivers. This concise, scholarly volume traces the history of the castle from its ancient roots in the Levant, through Roman times and the Middle Ages, to the fanciful chateaux of the sixteenth century. Profusely illustrated with nearly 200 photographs, floor-plan diagrams, and pen-and-ink renderings, 'Castles' explores innovations in castle architecture, siege operations, artillery and living conditions.
