“月城”考辨

The Identification and Verification of "Yuecheng"

本文从历史文献结合实物考证,对"月城"进行考辨。"月城"源于南北朝时期的"却月城",唐代开始"月城"的叫法,指修筑于水边的半圆形军事城堡,其形似却月,因而得名。南宋,月城成为城墙防御体系的一部分,并且使用灵活,修筑的位置不同起到不同的防御作用。然而明代以后,"月城"称谓开始变得模糊。当今普遍认为"月城"即是瓮城的观点是不恰当的。

The deification and verification of Yuecheng （月城） is based on historical documents and investigation on relevant relics.The term of Yuecheng coming from the Queyuecheng （却月城） in Northern and Southern Dynasties and called Yuecheng from Tang Dynasty,refers to the semicircular military castle built nearby the river for the shape is just like a half of moon （＂Yue＂ means moon in Chinese,＂Cheng＂ is city）.In Southern Song Dynasty Yuecheng became one part of city wall as defense system.However,after Ming Dynasty the meaning of Yuecheng changed.So it is inappropriate to regard Yuecheng as Wencheng.