ON THE ORIGIN OF THE MODERN ART OF FORTIFICATION. It is generally agreed, among military writers, that the method of fortifying places with bastions was introduced into Italy, about the beginning of the sixteenth century. But the author of this great change in the art of war has never been accurately traced. I have been induced, by Folard's reflections on this subject, to make some enquiry into it, the result of which will perhaps surprize the reader. The first bastions which were seen in Europe, were constructed by the Turks, for the defence of Otranto, in Apulia, * Hist. de Polybe, tom. iii. p. 2. & Seq. |