Page 106 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

104 EPIC FORTIFICATION

WMEN 500–1500 THE GREAT

WALL OF CHINA

The longest defensive fortification ever built, the Great

mounted warriors from the steppe. First constructed more
AND BO Wall of China protected northern China from incursions by
than 2,000 years ago and rebuilt in the 15th century, it was a
piece of military infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.

KNIGHTS China’s settled civilization was always and blades, although deadly when
used in a pitched battle, would be
vulnerable to the nomadic, bow-
wielding horsemen living in the vast
unsuited to assailing fortifications.
In 1474, work began on a new
spaces of inner Asia to the north and
west. The wealth of Chinese cities and
Great Wall made from brick and
agricultural lands had long attracted
attack by the horsemen. Built mostly
these highly mobile steppe raiders, stone, strong enough to withstand
from the Xiongnu and the Jurchen along the line of the old Qin Wall,
to the Mongols and the Manchu. in many places the remains of the
Qin Shi Huang, known as the first original earth structure were used
emperor because of his unification of as foundations. Vast resources of
China in 221BCE, created the original human labor were devoted to
Great Wall by joining up a number of building 3,510 miles (5,650km)
existing fortifications, some already of fortification, much of it across
500 years old. Built mostly of packed difficult terrain. The function of
earth, with some wood and stone, this wall was partly symbolic—to
over successive centuries, the Qin Wall mark the territory in which Chinese
was only partially and sporadically civilization held sway. But it was
maintained, leaving northern China mainly a practical, utilitarian military
exposed to pillage. structure. As a physical barrier, it was
sufficiently solid to repel the parties
THE NEED FOR DEFENSES of horsemen armed with composite
The Ming dynasty came to power bows and bladed weapons. Sturdy
in the 14th century, and represented fortresses were sited along its length,
a reassertion of Chinese national pride protecting key towns, mountain
after a period of rule by Mongol passes, or river crossings. More than
conquerors. At first, the Ming were 7,000 lookout towers enabled small
expansionist in outlook, seeking to garrisons of soldiers armed with
extend Chinese territory by sea into pikes, swords, and crossbows to keep
the Indian Ocean, and by land into watch for intruders, and signal for
Central Asia. But ambitions to subdue reinforcements in case of attack. The
the steppe tribes came to a halt in walkway along the top of the wall
1449, when Emperor Zhengtong allowed for the rapid movement of
was defeated and captured by Oirat infantry from barracks or forts to
Mongols on the frontier at the Battle any point that was under threat.
of Tumu. As well as this military The wall outlasted the Ming
disaster, the need for protection dynasty, which disintegrated in the
against the steppe horsemen had 17th century. The invading Manchu
become more acute since 1421, horsemen were only able to conquer
when the northern city of Beijing was China because Chinese General Wu
made the official Ming capital, instead Sangui, guarding the Great Wall at the
of the more southerly city of Nanjing. Shanhai Pass, deliberately opened its
Beijing was virtually a frontier town, gates to allow them through to Beijing.
and was critically exposed to attack. The wall itself remained an effective
However, the steppe warriors’ bows feat of military engineering.