acroter

Acroteria or Acroter’s from ἀκρόν, Summa pars; they may be properly called Pinnacles, for Pins and Battlements were made sometimes more towring; but when they stood in Ranges with Rails and Balisters: Upon flat Building they still retained their Name, with this only difference, that such as were placed between the Angular Points, were stiled the Median, or middle Acroteria.

The walls sloped slightly inwards and were surmounted by an acroter with metal spikes, capable of stopping whosoever might attempt to climb over.