NAVAL Camp, in antiquity, a fortification, consisting of a ditch and parapet on the land-side, or a wall built in the form of a semi-circle, and extended from one point of the sea to another. This was sometimes defended with towers, and beautified with gates, through which they issued forth to attack their enemies. Homer hath left us a remarkable description of the Grecian fortifications of this sort, in the Trojan war, beginning at v. 436. Iliad &c.
Then, to secure the camp and naval powers,
They rais'd embattled walls with lofty tow'rs:
From space to space were ample gates around,
For passing chariots; and a trench profound,
Of large extent; and deep in earth below
Strong piles infix'd flood adverse to the foe.
POPE'S Transl.
Towards the sea, or within it, they fixed great piles of wood, like those in their artificial harbours; before these the vessels of burden were placed in such order, as that they might be instead of a wall, and give protection to those within; in which manner Nicæas is reported by Thucydides to have encamped himself: but this seems only to have been practised when the enemy was thought superior in strength, and raised great apprehensions of danger in them. When their fortifications were thought strong enough to defend them from the assaults of enemies, it was frequent to drag their ships to shore, which the Greeks called ἰσχυρίν, the Romans subducere. Around the ships the soldiers disposed their tents, as appears every where in Homer: but this seems only to have been practised in winter, when their enemy's fleet was laid up and could not assault them; or in long sieges, and when they lay in no danger from their enemies by sea; as in the Trojan war, where the defenders of Troy never once attempted to encounter the Grecians in a sea-fight.
The adjacent places were usually filled with inns and stews, well stocked with females, that prostituted themselves to the mariners, merchants, and artificers of all sorts, who flocked thither in great numbers; this, however, appears to be only in times of peace.