| Servian Wall | |
|---|---|
| Rome, Italy | |
 A preserved section of Servian Wall next toTermini railway station. | |
 A map of Rome showing the sevenHills of Rome (pink), the Servian Wall (blue) and its gates. TheAurelian Walls (red) were constructed in the 3rd century AD. | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Defensive wall |
| Open to the public | Open to public. |
| Condition | Ruinous. Fragmentary remains |
| Location | |
 | |
| Coordinates | 41°54′06″N12°30′06″E / 41.90167°N 12.50167°E /41.90167; 12.50167 |
| Height | Up to 10 metres (33 ft) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 4th century BC (Livy dates grotta oscura sections from 378 BC) |
| Materials | Tuff |
| Events | Second Punic War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Romans |
TheServian Wall (Latin:Murus Servii Tullii;Italian:Mura Serviane) isan ancient Roman defensive barrier constructed around the city ofRome in the early 4th century BC. The wall was built ofvolcanic tuff and was up to 10 m (33 ft) in height in places, 3.6 m (12 ft) wide at its base, 11 km (6.8 mi) long,[1] and is believed to have had 16 main gates, of which only one or two have survived, and enclosed a total area of 246 hectares (610 acres). In the 3rd century AD it was superseded by the construction of the largerAurelian Walls as the city of Rome grew beyond the boundary of the Servian Wall.[2]
The wall is named after the sixthRoman King,Servius Tullius. The literary tradition stating that there was some type of defensive wall or earthen works that encircled the city of Rome dating to the 6th century BC has been found to be false.[3] The main extent of the Servian Wall was built in the early 4th century BC, during what is known as theRoman Republic.
The Servian Wall was originally built from large blocks of Cappellacciotuff (a volcanic rock made from ash and rock fragments that are ejected during a volcanic eruption) that was quarried from theAlban Hills volcanic complex.[4] This initial wall of Cappellaccio tuff was partially damaged and in need of restoration by the late 390s (either because of rapid disintegration or damage sustained after theSack of Rome in390 BC).[5] These reparations were done using the superior Grotta Oscura tuff which had become available after the Romans had defeatedVeii in the 390s.[6] This tuff was quarried by the vanquished Veientines.[7] In addition to the tuff blocks, some sections of the structure incorporated a deepfossa, or a ditch, in front of the wall, as a means to effectively heighten the wall. This second iteration of the wall containing Grotta Oscura tuff is dated byLivy to have been completed in378 BC.[8]
Along part of the topographically weaker Northern perimeter was anagger, a defensive ramp of earth that was built up along the inside of the Servian Wall. This effectively thickened the wall and also gave the defenders of Rome a base to stand while repelling an attack. The wall was also outfitted with defensive war engines, includingcatapults.[9]
The Servian Wall was maintained through the end of the Late Republic and into theRoman Empire. By this time, Rome had already begun to outgrow the original boundaries of the Servian Wall.
The Servian Wall became unnecessary as Rome became well protected by the ever-expanding strength of the field armies of the Republic and of the later Empire. As the city continued to grow and prosper, Rome was essentially without a border wall for the first three centuries of the Empire. Expanding domestic structures simply incorporated existing wall sections into their foundations, an example of which survives in theAuditorium of Maecenas.[10] When German tribes made further incursions along the Roman frontier in the 3rd century AD, EmperorAurelian had the largerAurelian Walls built to protect the city of Rome.[11]
Several sections of the Servian Wall are still visible in various locations around the city of Rome. The largest section is preserved outside theTermini Station, the main railway station in Rome – including a section in aMcDonald's dining area at the station. Another notable section on theAventine Hill incorporates an arch that was supposedly for a defensive catapult from the late Republic.[9]
The following lists the gates that are believed to have been built, clockwise from the westernmost. (Many of these are inferred only from writings, with no known remains.)
Media related toServian Wall at Wikimedia Commons
| Preceded by Janiculum walls | Landmarks of Rome Servian Wall | Succeeded by Porta Caelimontana |
