03-19-2007, 01:48 PM
Did the Romans (or Greeks) already knew drawbridges or were they a purely medieval innovation, as usually assumed? I wonder how Roman troops got then from the siege towers onto the battlements? And how were the gates of Roman city walls located vis-a-vis the moat?
I understand there seems to be in English also a terminological ambiguity which is absent in other languages. In English, as I understand it, the term 'drawbridge' can denote both this type of bridge and that type, whereas in German, for example, the equivalent term ('drawbridge' = 'Zugbrücke') is reserved exclusively for the first type.
I understand there seems to be in English also a terminological ambiguity which is absent in other languages. In English, as I understand it, the term 'drawbridge' can denote both this type of bridge and that type, whereas in German, for example, the equivalent term ('drawbridge' = 'Zugbrücke') is reserved exclusively for the first type.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
