Castle walls were an evolutionary defense structure over a period of thousands of years. They served to protect the inhabitants of strategic military outposts, which would often result in cottage industries popping up around the outpost to serve the needs of every day life behind the castle walls. Castle walls are seen in all cultures, from Mesopotamian, to Arabian, and to (most famously) western European cultures.
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Development
Although castle walls initially started out as a round circle of logs, but with the advent of stone wall construction, it was easier to build walls in neat, straight lines and 90° corners to create a box shape that was also appealing to the eye. This style of castle wall was rapidly ditched in lieu of more advanced cylindrical towers being placed upon each corner. The problem with 90 degree corners is that to the attacker, they are the most vulnerable part of the castle and easiest to knock down or weaken. For the defender, it is difficult to defend these corners as arrow slits, or narrow vertical windows, cannot be easily placed directly on the corner, creating a large blind spot. Rounded towers serve a triple purpose: 1) less construction materials are needed overall for the staircase due to spiral construction, 2) The wall's primary weakness is removed, 3) They eliminate blind spots and improves visibility for the archer by allowing more arrow slits to be placed in the corner towers. They also create stronger support for the castle.
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