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Hadrian’s Wall
• Hadrian's Wall was built in the years AD 122-30 by order of the Emperor
Hadrian.
• It was 80 Roman miles long (73 Imperial miles) and ran from Wallsendon-Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west.
• For much of the Roman occupation of Britain, Hadrian’s Wall marked
the northern limes of the Empire.
• However, there were also a number of outpost forts to the north – e.g.
Birrens, Netherby and Bewcastle.
The Wall was well defended:
• Bank and ditch to the north
• Excavations have revealed pits with sharpened stakes between the ditch and the Wall
• 4m/13ft high
• Vallum (ditch) to south to create a “no-entry zone”.
The Wall also makes use of natural defences such as ridges and crags,
particularly Whin Sill, which enable a good view to the north. It
remains a potent symbol of Roman rule.
• Forts (16 in total), milecastles and turrets were built along the length of the
Wall.
• The Wall could only be crossed at gateways in the forts and milecastles.
• Forts could house up to 800 auxiliary soldiers.
• Civilian settlements called vici grew up around many of the forts. These
provided services to the troops.
Housesteads fort
Milecastles were built every Roman mile (80 in total).
There were two turrets between each milecastle.
PURPOSES AND FUNCTIONS
MILITARY
• Prevent invasions from north
• Prevent raiding
• Separate the troublesome
Brigantes from allies in southern
Scotland
• David Breeze: “not a fighting
platform”
POLITICAL
• “to separate the Romans and
barbarians” (Hadrian’s
biographer)
• To consolidate the Empire
• Roman propaganda – overawe
the native tribes
• Keep soldiers busy and prevent
mutiny
SYMBOLIC/PRESTIGE PURPOSES
• Hadrian’s personal prestige
• Monument to the Emperor
• “symbolic edge to the Empire”
(Lloyd Laing)
• Symbol of the superiority of
Rome
BUREAUCRATIC FUNCTIONS
• Control movement of people – channelled through gates
• Policing the frontier – preserving the pax Romana
• Customs barrier
• Collection of taxes