Pilae

Pilae (singular pila) is the Latin word the ancient Romans used for "piers", "piles" or "pylons", vertical pillars often used to support structures such as hypocausts.

Pilae were also used in concrete piers in the Gulf of Pozzuoli at Baiae, Misenum, and Nisida. These are illustrated in a 1st-century fresco from Stabiae.

Ancient glass flasks have been found that illustrate the Puteoli breakwaters with the inscription "pilae".¹²³⁴

References

S.E.Oscrow "The topography of Puteoli and Baiae on the eight glass flasks" Puteoli, 1979, p 77-140
CIL X 1640, 1641, opus pilarum of the harbour at Puteoli
Seneca, Letters 77.1: in pilis Puteolorum
Livy, History 40.51.4: pilas pontis in Tiberi

[1] S.E.Oscrow "The topography of Puteoli and Baiae on the eight glass flasks" Puteoli, 1979, p 77-140

[2] CIL X 1640, 1641, opus pilarum of the harbour at Puteoli

[3] Seneca, Letters 77.1: in pilis Puteolorum

[4] Livy, History 40.51.4: pilas pontis in Tiberi

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