LINES OF

CIRCUMVALLATION (from

See also:

• LAT

Lat. circum,

See also:

• ROUND (O. Fr. rond, Lat. rotundus, the Fr. is the source also of Du. rond; Ger., Swed., Dan. and Nor. rond)

round, and vallum, a rampart)  , in fortification, a continuous circle of entrenchments surrounding a besieged place . " Lines of Contravallation " were similar works by which the besieger protected himself against the attack of a relieving army from any quarter . These continuous lines of circumvallation and contravallation were used only in the days of small armies and small fortresses, and both terms are now obsolete .