07-20-2007, 12:52 PM
From the position on the opposite hilltop Vespasian could probably see directly into the hill fort. If his artillery was positioned close to him they would have been able to see as well. Although there may well have been a palisade along the top of the defences the defences would not have been much of a problem from a position of near equal height on the opposite hill. The distance to be covered would have been quite long but it was clear from the bolt heads which were recovered that they had been shot at quite a high trajectory, probably both to achieve a greater distance under the right wind conditions and to allow the bolts to drop onto the house without being impeded by intervening objects. It makes sense to think that ranging shots were probably shot prior to the main barrage.
Pictures of Hod Hill can be seen here:
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/pos ... tream=date
and here:
http://www.lastrefuge.co.uk/php/show-im ... ?id=DW1717
In the photo in the second link you can see the fort the Romans built at one end of the hill fort.
Crispvs
Crispvs
Pictures of Hod Hill can be seen here:
http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/pos ... tream=date
and here:
http://www.lastrefuge.co.uk/php/show-im ... ?id=DW1717
In the photo in the second link you can see the fort the Romans built at one end of the hill fort.
Crispvs
Crispvs
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