The Historical, Topographic and Architectural Definitions of “Geländemauer” City Walls in Karia

Yıl 2023, Cilt: XXXI Sayı: XXXI, 37 - 60, 21.03.2023

Sinan Paksoy , Abdülkadir Baran

Öz

In the early 4th Century BC, the systematical constructions of ‘Geländemauer’ city walls
began in Karia under the Hekatomnid rule. Henceforth, ‘Geländemauer’ city walls became the
most advanced and sophisticated fortification system in Western Anatolia, both in tactical and
topographical points, until the end of the 3rd century BC. On this type of city wall, defined by
scholars as “Geländemauer” circuits, the traces of walls follow the high ridges and summits of
the lands, aiming to gain the topography’s natural defense advantage.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Fortification, Urbanization, Karia, Geländemauer, Halikarnassos, Emplekton