Limes (Roman Empire)

Līmes (Latin, singular; plural: līmitēs) is a modern term used primarily for the Germanic border defence or delimiting system of Ancient Rome marking the borders of the Roman Empire, but it was not used by the Romans for that purpose.[1][2] The term has been extended to refer to the frontier defences in other parts of the empire, such as in the east and in Africa.

Quick facts: UNESCO World Heritage Site, Location, Include... ▼

Frontiers of the Roman Empire

UNESCO World Heritage Site
The limes Germanicus, 2nd century
Location	The valleys of the Rhine and the Danube; United Kingdom
Includes	Hadrian's Wall (including the Aesica aqueduct, Arbeia, and Corstopitum), Roman defenses along the Cumbrian coast, and the Limes Germanicus; the Antonine Wall is a later addition to this site
Criteria	Cultural ii, iii, iv
Reference	430
Inscription	1987 (11th Session)
Extensions	2005, 2008
Area	526.9 ha
Buffer zone	5,225.7 ha

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Frontiers and fortifications Limes Limes Britannicus Antonine Wall Hadrian's Wall Saxon Shore Limes Germanicus Alb Limes Lauter Valley Limes Lower Germanic Limes Main Limes Neckar-Odenwald Limes Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes Wetterau Limes Danube–Iller–Rhine Limes Norican Limes Claustra Alpium Iuliarum Pannonian Limes Limes Alutanus Limes Moesiae Trajan's Wall Anastasian Wall Limes Sarmatiae Limes Arabicus Limes Tripolitanus Limes Mauretaniae
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The līmes is often associated with Roman forts, but the concept could apply to any adjoining area the Romans exercised loose control over with military forces.