Hadrian’s Wall
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What is Hadrian’s Wall?
Hadrian's Wall was a defensive barrier built by the Romans to guard the northwestern frontier of their province of Britain from barbarian invaders. Construction began in 122 CE during the reign of Emperor Hadrian and stretched 73 miles (118 km) coast to coast across northern Britain, from Wallsend-on-Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway Firth in the west. The wall was constructed with stones and turf, supplemented by a ditch, milecastles, towers, and forts. Hadrian's Wall served to control movement across the frontier and counter threats. Today, the wall is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts tourists worldwide.
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Where is Hadrian’s Wall located?
Hadrian’s Wall is a defensive barrier built by the Romans to guard the northwestern frontier of their province of Britain from barbarian invaders. The wall stretched for 73 miles (118 km) across northern Britain, coast to coast, from Wallsend (Segedunum) on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west. Emperor Hadrian, who ruled from 117 to 138 CE, initiated the wall's construction around 122 CE. Today, the remaining foundations and forts attract tourists, and in 1987, Hadrian's Wall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Who built Hadrian’s Wall and why?
Hadrian's Wall was constructed by Roman soldiers, primarily from the three legions stationed in Britain, under the direction of Emperor Hadrian, who visited in 122 CE. Construction began around this time and took about six years.
The wall ran for 73 miles (118 km) across northern Britain, from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west. Hadrian's Wall marked the Roman Empire's definite border and served to control movement across the frontier and defend against low-intensity threats from the north. It was not meant as a fighting platform; instead, the troops stationed there were trained to confront the enemy in the open.
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When was Hadrian’s Wall constructed?
Hadrian's Wall, a Roman defensive barrier against barbarian invaders, was constructed on the northern frontier of Roman Britain during the reign of Emperor Hadrian ruled 117–138 CE. Construction began in 122 CE and took about six years. The wall stretched 73 miles (118 km) coast to coast, from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west. The wall marked the definite limit of the Roman world.
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What did Hadrian’s Wall look like and how long was it?
Hadrian's Wall was a defensive barrier that guarded the northwestern frontier of Roman Britain from barbarian invaders. It stretched 73 miles (118 km) coast to coast, from Wallsend-on-Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway Firth in the west.
The wall's construction evolved, starting with a stone wall in the east and a turf rampart in the west, both fronted by a ditch. The stone wall was originally planned to be 10 Roman feet wide and at least 12 feet high. However, it was later narrowed to about 8 feet. Milecastles, towers, and forts were added for patrols and garrisons.
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How did Hadrian’s Wall affect the people living nearby during Roman times?
Hadrian's Wall, constructed in 122 CE, served as a defensive barrier marking the Roman Empire's northwestern frontier in Britain. The wall's purpose was to control movement and counter low-intensity threats across the border, rather than serve as a fighting platform.
The wall significantly impacted the lives of people nearby. For lowland Britons, the Roman way of life was largely accepted, while the hill dwellers' freedom was threatened. Excavations near the wall reveal insights into the lifestyle of Roman garrisons, such as game boards and hearths. The wall also had economic effects due to the army's presence. While the wall served as a boundary, the Romans maintained interest in Southern Scotland through military occupation, treaties, and supervision.
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Hadrian’s Wall, continuous Roman defensive barrier that guarded the northwestern frontier of the province of Britain from barbarian invaders. The wall extended from coast to coast across the width of northern Britain; it ran for 73 miles (118 km) from Wallsend (Segedunum) on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west. The original plan was to construct a stone wall 10 Roman feet wide (a Roman foot is slightly larger than a standard foot) and at least 12 feet high for the eastern sector and a turf rampart 20 Roman feet wide at the base for the western sector; both were fronted by a ditch, except where the crags rendered this superfluous. At every 1/3 Roman mile there was a tower, and at every mile a fortlet (milefortlet, or milecastle) containing a gate through the wall, presumably surmounted by a tower, and one or two barrack-blocks. Before this scheme was completed, forts were built on the wall line at roughly 7-mile intervals and an earthwork, known as the vallum, dug behind the wall and the forts. Probably at this stage the stone wall was narrowed from 10 Roman feet wide to about 8 feet. The fortlets, towers, and forts continued for at least 26 miles (42 km) beyond Bowness southward down the Cumbrian coast.
Emperor Hadrian (ruled 117–138 ce) went to Britain in 122 and, in the words of his biographer, “was the first to build a wall, 80 miles long, to separate the Romans from the barbarians.” The initial construction of the wall took approximately six years, and expansions were later made. Upon Hadrian’s death, his successor Antoninus Pius (138–161) decided to extend the Roman dominion northward by building a new wall in Scotland. The resulting Antonine Wall stretched for 37 miles (59 km) along the narrow isthmus between the estuaries of the Rivers Forth and Clyde. Within two decades, however, the Antonine Wall was abandoned in favour of Hadrian’s Wall, which continued in use nearly until the end of Roman rule in Britain (410).
Hadrian’s Wall was built mainly by soldiers of the three legions of Britain, but it was manned by the second-line auxiliary troops. Its purpose was to control movement across the frontier and to counter low-intensity threats. There was no intention of fighting from the wall top; the units based on the wall were trained and equipped to encounter the enemy in the open.
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In 1990–91 excavations of a milefortlet just north of Maryport, Cumbria, provided information on a Roman garrison’s lifestyle. The fortlet, which was occupied for a short time during Hadrian’s reign, rendered artifacts such as fragments of game boards and a large number of hearths and ovens. The fortlet has been partially reconstructed and made accessible to the public.
In 1987 Hadrian’s Wall was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over the centuries many sections of the wall have suffered damage caused by roads traversing it and by the plunder of its stones to build nearby houses and other structures. However, the remaining foundations and forts attract tourists from throughout the world. Compare Great Wall of China.