# Wall — WHE Definition Discussion (1-83) **URL:** \ **Category:** WHE Articles\ **Created:** [September 2, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/wall-whe-definition-discussion-1-83/17837 "2009-09-02T00:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JPryst](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/jpryst/32/168_2.png) [@JPryst](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/JPryst)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/wall-whe-definition-discussion-1-83/17837/1 "2009-09-02T00:00:00Z")
The English word 'wall' is derived from the Latin, _vallus_ meaning 'a stake' or 'post' and designated the wood-stake and earth palisade which formed the outer edge of a fortification. The palisades were in use early on and are mentioned by Homer in the 8th century BCE and later by the Greek historian Polybius (c 200-118 BCE) and the Chinese historian Sima Qian (145-86 BCE) among others. Walls have traditionally been built for defense, privacy, and to protect the people of a certain region from the influence or perceived danger posed by outsiders. * * * _This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at [https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/)._ * * * **Join the Conversation** - Is there anything you'd change or add? - Does this match what you've learned about the topic before? - Anything here you'd push back on? Is there anything you'd like to ask about this definition? Ask away — and if you spot something that should be covered, that's useful to know too. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/community.worldhistory.org/system/32/30_2.png) [@system](https://community.worldhistory.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2026, 1:13am UTC](https://community.worldhistory.org/t/wall-whe-definition-discussion-1-83/17837/2 "2026-08-01T01:13:38Z")