\f1 \fs22 The sacred area was usually located in the highest part of the city, and in it stood magnificent temples
richly decorated with painted terracottas. From very early in their history the cities were enclosed in defensive walls, often with towers and moats. In some cases, such as Volterra, their perimeter was larger than the area actually inhabited, so that th
e men and cattle of the surrounding region could be brought inside in case of invasion. The cities often had elegant entrance gates like the \b \cf4 \ATXht2041 Gate of Mars in Perugia.\par