Castra

In the Roman Empire, the Latin word castra (singular castrum) were buildings or plots of land reserved for or constructed for use as a military defensive position. This term appears in three Italic languages: Oscan, Umbrian and Latin. In classical Latin the word castra means "great legionary encampment" and included "marching", "temporary" and "fortified permanent" ones, while the diminutive form castellum was used for the smaller forts, which were usually, but not always, occupied by the auxiliary units and used as logistic bases for the legions, as explained by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus. A generic term is praesidium ("guard post or garrison"). The terms stratopedon ("army camp") and phrourion ("fortification") were used by Greek language authors to translate castra and castellum, respectively.