- Welcome to Hadrian’s WallSalve ad Hadrianus Murus

Hadrian on the Wall
Hadrian inspects: "Howay lads... Caal this a waal"

The Roman Emperor Hadrian was a popular figure in Ancient Rome. Today, across the world, he still is. He achieved many things during his reign which was begun with the idea of consolidating his Empire by pulling forces from distant battles he considered to be a detriment to Rome. In contrast he decided that building barriers on the borders of the Empire was a much better strategy with the aim of protecting the lands gained through earlier conflict and shutting up shop.

Map of Hadrian’s Wall
Map of Hadrian’s Wall - click any red square to go to that fort page.
Wall and major Roman forts and roads are shown. Presumed roads are detailed as dotted lines.
The Stanegate is presumed to have started at Corbridge and run west to at least Vindolanda creating the first Roman defensive line in Britain although its initial purpose was that of a strategic road.
The line of the Wall is shown in red.
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Trade would still be a very important aspect of Roman life, as it had been since its inception around 750BC, and without doubt the most famous of these barriers is Hadrian’s Wall in the North of England stretching across Northumberland in the East to Cumbria in the West. Far from the Wall being a simple tool to stop the barbarians from the north invading it was actually a very successful control system for traders who wished to deal with the so called barbarians and vice versa. Taxes would be collected either way to help fill Rome‘s coffers.

Map of known tribes in Britannia, first century
Tribal Map of Britannia, 1stC.
Hover over number for name of tribe
Click for more information
Caledones
Taexali
Venicones
Epidii
Damnonii
Novantae
Selgovae
Votadini
Deceangli
Ordovices
Demetae
Silures
Carvetii
Brigantes
Parisi
Cornovii
Corieltauvi
Iceni
Catuvellauni
Dubunni
Trinovantes
Atrebates
Cantiaci
Regni
Belgae
Durotriges
Dumnonii

So, what was the real purpose of the Wall? Why did Hadrian feel it necessary to build it in the first place? Was the location the first choice? Who were the soldiers constructing and constantly repairing it? What did the Wall look like and was it ever attacked? How many forts, milecastles and turrets lined its length? Who manned the Wall? Were other defensive elements utilised along the Wall’s length? Lots of questions but do we have the answers? Mostly, for these questions, yes, but they are not complete. The plain truth is we may never know all the answers to most questions still being asked by experts across archaeology. This is precisely why the many mysteries of the Wall draw people to it. It is not just the wonderful landscapes, the remains of the Wall itself nor the many stories it can tell. It is so much more...

Although we do have some spectacular sites along the Wall there are areas where virtually nothing remains unfortunately. Large areas remain to be excavated in years to come but this will be done with due consideration to the future of the Wall and local populations living around it. Future generations may excavate with a far better understanding of the methods used to carry out research for the betterment of ours and future generations. One day, if you have not already, you may just make that personal trek to the monument and, like myself over the years, may even begin to research its history in greater depth. If you manage to visit the Wall all I will say is take everything in and enjoy.



  
  
  

For all the efficiency of recording just about everything they could the Romans didn’t seem to think too much of a defensive wall and thus far only one written testament to its construction exists...

(Hadrianus) murumque per octoginta milia passuum primus duxit, qui barbaros Romanosque divideret.
(Hadrian) was the first to build a wall, eighty miles long, to seperate the Romans from the barbarians.
(Scriptores Historiae Augustae, Vita Hadriani, 11 2)