Castellum

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800 BC – AD 476

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A castellum is a small Roman detached fort or fortlet used as a watch tower or signal station. The Latin word castellum is a diminutive of castra ("military camp"), which in turn is the plural of castrum ("watchpost"); it is the source of the English word "castle".

The term castellum was also used to refer to a settling or storage reservoir along the length of an aqueduct.

Reconstruction of the north tower of the castellum "Biriciana" in Weißenburg, Bavaria.
Reconstruction of the north tower of the castellum "Biriciana" in Weißenburg, Bavaria.