Limes were like a big wall that the Romans built a long time ago. Think of it like a big fence that goes all the way around their land to keep out bad guys. This wall was used to protect the people inside from enemies who wanted to attack them. The word "limes" means "limit" in Latin (which is the language they used to speak back then). It was a very important thing for the Romans because it helped them to stay safe and protect their land. They used soldiers to guard the wall and make sure no one could get through. It was kind of like a really big version of a fort or a castle, and it helped the Romans to keep their empire safe and secure.