You still have to have loads of humans to man those walls, along with paying them and the associated logistics. Firearms weren’t too great at range until the 20th century, mostly lacking center-fire cartridges and rifling and such.
You could control choke points, but nothing was stopping a random dude from walking in through the forest or desert.
You still have to have loads of humans to man those walls, along with paying them and the associated logistics. Firearms weren’t too great at range until the 20th century, mostly lacking center-fire cartridges and rifling and such.
You could control choke points, but nothing was stopping a random dude from walking in through the forest or desert.
Smuggling was a thing back then, right? Paying someone to help you navigate the not so hospitable and easy-to-get-lost-in deserts and forests.