Castellated Militare: The Roman Fortress Against Pirates
The city of Populonia where the excavation site is located had been under the domination of Rome for over a century, around the middle of the 2nd century BCE.
During this period a fort was built on the plateau overlooking the canal which connected the sea with the lake of Rimigliano with the specific strategic purpose of the military defense and the political control of the territory of Populonia.
The fort was quadrangular in shape in shape with thick perimeter walls, defensive towers overshadowed the entrance gates and a watchtower facing Populonia.
The castellum was built as an outpost to defend the territory from attacks by pirates who between the 2nd and 1st century BCE infested the waters and coastlines not only of the Tyrrhenian Sea but of the entire Mediterranean.
Above is a photo of what is left of the Roman Fort
Above is a photo of the prison quarters Romans created for pirates that tried to invade their territory.
Above is a photo of the seafront that surrounds Poggio del Molino.
I hope you get to swim in the sea after a hard day's work. It looks amazing!