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Did the Roman army use sandbags?

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Did the Roman army use sandbags?
Eleatic Guest Offline
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#1
11-03-2008, 10:05 AM
Hello,

do we have evidence of ancient armies using sandbags for fortifications, circumvallation or, generally, engineering works? If so, what was the material of the sandbags?

The only mentioning of sandbags I found is in the construction of the Artemis temple in Ephesos by a Greek architect.
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
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Mithras Offline
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#2
11-03-2008, 06:58 PM
I've never heard of such things, I get the impression that turves were the Roman equivalent. Use a Roman dolabra or 'turf-cutter' and build your own wall or fortification in a few hours.
~ Paul Elliott

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This book details the lives of Late Roman legionaries garrisoned in Britain in 400AD. It covers everything from battle to rations, camp duties to clothing.
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mcbishop Offline
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#3
11-05-2008, 11:49 AM
Quote:do we have evidence of ancient armies using sandbags for fortifications, circumvallation or, generally, engineering works? If so, what was the material of the sandbags?

The only mentioning of sandbags I found is in the construction of the Artemis temple in Ephesos by a Greek architect.

Vegetius says (III,10) that the Persians did in imitation of Roman camp building... which may (or may not) be taken to indicate that the Romans used sandbags when in the desert.

Mike Bishop
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Gaius Julius Caesar Offline
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#4
11-05-2008, 07:11 PM
Wow, that is pretty long winded.....no wonder it is a dead language....
ducks and runs...... Tongue
It would make sense though....sand ditches fill them selves quite rapidly
and a berm requires reinforcement of some type...not much timber in the deserts....
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Watcher Offline
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#5
11-07-2008, 09:00 PM
Quote:Wow, that is pretty long winded.....no wonder it is a dead language....
ducks and runs...... Tongue
It would make sense though....sand ditches fill them selves quite rapidly
and a berm requires reinforcement of some type...not much timber in the deserts....

That is why Caesar "imported" his timber in his campaigns in North Africa.

Sand bags? I have never read of them being used in antiquity, but that does not mean that they were not used. Who knows?
Gregory

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Eleatic Guest Offline
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#6
11-08-2008, 10:41 AM
The only evidence of sandbags I have found so far (6th century BC): Landels: Engineering in the Ancient World
Stefan (Literary references to the discussed topics are always appreciated.)
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