The act of surrounding or enclosing something completely with a fortification or wall.
Present participle of circumvallate, derived from Latin circumvallare, combining circum- 'around' and vallare 'to fortify.' Used primarily in military and archaeological contexts since the 16th century.
When Caesar circumvallated Alesia in 52 BCE, he built a 21-mile wall around the Gallic stronghold—then built another wall facing outward to defend against relief forces. It's one of history's most brilliant and brutal engineering feats.
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