Vinea
A shed employed by the Roman soldiers to protect themselves from the missiles of the enemy
whilst occupied in undermining or breaching the walls of a fortress. It had a sloping roof of
planks and wicker-work supported upon uprights, and was closed on three of its sides by
similar materials, the whole frame being covered outside with raw hides or horse-hair cloth,
to prevent its being set on fire. Each
vinea, by itself, was about eight
feet high and sixteen in length; but a number of them were joined together in a line and run
up to the walls, so that the ram could be securely plied underneath them (
B. C.
ii. 2;
Livy, xxxvii. 26; Veg.
Mil. iv. 15).