Everyone has heard of the Great Wall of China and knows of Hadrian’s Wall and the other barriers lining stretches of Rome’s imperial frontiers. But Peter Spring’s original new study demonstrates that far from being exceptional, the building of walls and other linear defences was commonplace among the peoples and states of pre-modern era. He finds examples virtually all across the globe and analyses their forms and strategic functions. He finds patterns for their distribution, an important recurrent theme being the divide between settled agriculture and nomads. The author argues that it is mistaken to view such undertakings as necessarily purely defensive measures that might be evidence of insecurity or a ‘maginot line mentality’, as they were in fact often about aggressive assertion of control over a region or strategic routes. This original and thought-provoking study brings new light and insight to a fascinating and neglected aspect of human political and military history. The clear text is supported by numerous, specially drawn maps and photographs. AUTHOR: Peter Spring is a financial consultant by training but also holds an MA in Medieval Art History from the Courtauld Institute. He is has always been keenly interested in military history and has served in the Territorial Army in an Intelligence role. He lives in Southeast London. This is his first book. SELLING POINTS: Highly original book, no previous study with this scope Analyses how and why great walls, dykes etc were built by most civilizations and how successful they were Comprehensive study covers all ancient/medieval world, including Africa and Far East 16 pages of plates and 30 maps