Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall is an ancient Roman series of defenses that run across the United Kingdom.

Location: the wall roughly runs along highways A69 and B6318 Map

Constructed: started in AD 122 by emperor Hadrian

Description of Hadrian's Wall

The Wall or Hadrian's Wall is an old defensive construction of the island of Britania , built between 122 - 132 by order of the Roman emperor Hadrian to defend the British territory submitted, south of the wall, to the warlike tribes of the Picts which extended further north of the wall, in what would later become Scotland after the invasion of the shafts from Ireland . The wall also had the function of maintaining economic stability and creating peace conditions in the Roman province of Britanniasouth of the wall, as well as physically marking the border of the Roman Empire . Today important sections of the wall still remain, while other sections have disappeared as their stones have been reused in neighboring buildings for centuries.

This fortified limes extended for 117 km from the Gulf of Solway in the west to the estuary of the Tyne River in the east, between the towns of Pons Aelius (now Newcastle upon Tyne ) and Maglona ( Wigton ). 1The wall itself was built entirely with stone blocks, it was 2.4 to 3 meters thick and 3.6 to 4.8 meters high. It had 14 main forts and 80 forts that housed garrisons at key surveillance points, as well as a pit in its northern part of 10 m and a military road that ran along its southern side. Further south of the military road they built another moat with two earth embankments to protect the wall from attacks from the south. Its name is sometimes used as a synonym for the border between Scotland and England , although the wall follows a line farther south than the modern border.

Its defensive function was subsequently assumed by the wall of Antonino Pio , raised further north and abandoned after a brief period before the hostility of the Caledonian tribes, making the wall of Hadrian again the northern limit of the Roman territory of Britain. The Picts crossed the wall three times, in 197 , 296 and 367 . It was repaired and enlarged in 209 , during the reign of Septimius Severus , and finally abandoned in 383 . After their abandonment, the inhabitants of the region reused many stones from the wall to build farms, churches and other buildings.

Hadrian's Wall was constructed started in AD 122 by emperor Hadrian to defend south part of the island known at the time as a Roman province of Britannia against attacks by barbarian tribes from the North. The wall roughly runs along highways A69 and B6318. There over 16 large forts along its length, along with 80 smaller fortifications and 158 turrets to keep an eye over dangerous frontier.

Banks East Turret Pike Hill Watch (Signal) Tower

Chesters Fort (Cilurvum or Cilurnum)

Location: Map

Cilurvum or Cilurnum is one of the best preserved forts along a Hadrian's Wall that was mentioned in Notitia Dignitatum, documentation of Roman imperial chanceries. It is located near a town of Chester also known as Walwick Chesters in the Northumberland County of United Kingdom. It was constructed in 123 AD as a cavalry fort intended to strengthen presence in the region. It was known as ala Augusta ob virtutem appellata ("named Augusta because of its valour"). Any attack from a North would result in retaliation attacks from a Roman cavalry deep into enemy territory. Later contingent was strengthened by infantry units of First Cohor of Vangiones from the Upper Rhineland in German province and First Cohor of Dalmations from present day Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among old barracks you find an altar of a "Cult of Disciplina", that was actively encouraged by the emperor Hadrian himself. Archeological digs continue for decades and still there is a lot of work to be done. Numerous findings from a site are presented in the museum of the site.

Chesters Bridge

Location: Map

Chesters Bridge is an ancient Roman bridge that was constructed near Chesters Fort to ease movement of Roman infantry and cavalry. The first bridge was erected on this spot across River North Tyne river in 122- 24 AD. A second bridge was constructed here in the early 3rd century AD, apparently after a flood that destroyed the first bridge. It was larger and more substantial measuring at a length of 189 feet (57.6 m) and a width of 10 feet (3 m) wide. The bridge was also destroyed by waters of river North Tyne that changed its coarse. Western base was destroyed, by eastern base of the bridge is well preserved. It gives an idea of the great masonry work done by the Roman army engineers.

Carvoran (Magnis)

Location: Map

Carvoran Roman Fort known as a Magnis was constructed here on the crossroads of ancient Roman roads. It was probably constructed before the Hadrian's wall and was later incorporated into military defences.

Carrawburgh

Location: Map

Carrawburgh is an ancient Roman Fort in Northumberland County of UK. In the ancient times it was known asBrocolitia, Procolita, or Brocolita. Among its living quators you can find several temples of the pagan dieties. Especially famous is that of God Mithras pictured above on the left.

Vindolanda

Location: Map

Vindolanda is an ancient Roman fort constructed here to guard an ancient Roman road known as Stanegate. It is situated near a village of Bardon Mill in Northumberland County. Judging by the inscriptions in Ancient Latin this fort was inhabited by the troops from Gaul or modern day France. The fort was abandoned in the early 5th century AD.

Housesteads Roman Fort (Vercovicium)

Location: Map

Poltross Milecastle 48

Location: village of Gilsland, Cumbria Map