It was common for towns to develop around these castles, as inhabitants benefited from the protection offered by the moats, raised earthworks, and wooden palisades.
Carved stele, earthwork pyramids, hieroglyphic writing, ball courts, and fine artworks—all of it conjured into existence with the suddenness of a magician's trick.
But Rhodes was doubtless instrumental to the defence of the town: he organized earthworks, water supplies, and even the production of a rifled field-gun, nicknamed 'Long Cecil'.