A ''castellum'' in
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
is usually:
* a small
Roman fortlet or tower,
[C. Julius Caesar, Gallic War; 2,30] a diminutive of ('
military camp'), often used as a
watchtower or signal station like on
Hadrian's Wall. It is distinct from a , which is a later Latin term that was used particularly in the
Germanic provinces.
* a distribution, header and settling tank in a
Roman aqueduct or ''
castellum aquae''.
It is the source of the
English word "
castle
A castle is a type of fortification, fortified structure built during the Middle Ages predominantly by the nobility or royalty and by Military order (monastic society), military orders. Scholars usually consider a ''castle'' to be the private ...
".
References
Roman fortifications
Roman aqueducts
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