Station, Military

A place calculated for the rendezvous of troops, or for the distribution of them; also, a spot well calculated for offensive or defensive measures. The name of stat i ones , or stations, was given by the Romans to the guard which was kept in the daytime at the gates of the camp, and at the intrenchments. The statio agraria was an advanced post to prevent surprise, insure the safety of prisoners, etc. The chief use was to keep the military sway secure from hostile incursions, whence we find them at the concurrence of roads. The word is also extensively applied to the old military stations of the Romans, when encampments of towns existed. The statira castra were encampments for a short time; the æstiva castra were the same, but might be occupied only for one night. The hyberna castra , or winter camps, were elaborately fortified, even with stone walls, houses within, etc., so that many towns grew out of them.