Epalxis

Epalxis, from the Greek ἐπάλξις, refers to a battlement or parapet; a defensive wall with alternating raised and lowered sections built along the top of a fortified structure such as a castle wall or city wall. These raised sections, also called merlons, provided cover for defenders, while the lowered sections, known as crenels or embrasures, allowed them to fire upon attackers. The design allowed for a combination of protection and offensive capability. The term can also refer more generally to any defensive projection or breastwork. The specific design and construction of an epalxis would vary depending on the materials available, the anticipated threat, and the overall defensive strategy of the fortification.