After
they invaded Britain in AD43, the Romans quickly established control
over southern England. The conquest of the 'wild barbarians' in the
North however was not going to be so easy.
In the AD70's and 80's the Roman commander Agricola led a series
of major assaults on the barbarian tribes of northern England and
the Scottish lowlands. Despite a successful campaign into Scotland,
the Romans failed in the long term to hold on to any lands
gained. Forts and signal posts were built back in the lowlands
linked by the Stanegate road which ran from the waters of the Tyne
in the East to the Solway estuary in the West.
Some four decades
later in around AD122, with the barbarians still untamed, these
lowland forts were again under intense hostile pressure. A visit by
the Emperor Hadrian that year to review the border problems at the
boundaries of his empire led to a more radical solution. He
ordered the building of an immense barrier stretching over eighty
Roman miles from the west coast of Britain to the east. Built
of stone in the east and initially of turf in the west (because lime
for mortar was not available) Hadrian's Wall took at least six years
to complete.
Approximately 10ft (3m) in width and 15ft (4.6m) in
height, with a parapet on the north side giving an overall height of
20ft (6m), to potential invaders the structure emphasised the power
and might of Rome. As if to reinforce this, 80 milecastles are
spaced one Roman mile apart along it's entire length.
By AD 138
the Romans, perhaps with a few scores to settle, again sought to
civilise the northerners with a new campaign into Scotland.
This time a new frontier, the Antonine Wall, was rapidly established
between the Forth and Clyde rivers and Hadrian's Wall was promptly
abandoned. By about AD160 however the Romans were again persuaded by
the Scots that they did not wish to be civilised and were forced to
relocate back to Hadrian's Wall. So concerned about the reception
they had received in the north, the Romans undertook to replace the
remaining stretch of turf wall with a more substantial stone
structure.
The Romans maintained and occupied the Wall into the
fourth century AD, resisting several further barbarian raids from
the persistent northern tribes. Little is known of the effects on
the Wall of the barbarian conspiracy when in AD367 hostile tribes
from all over Britain attacked together. Shortly after this,
drained of garrison troops by successive withdrawls, Hadrian's Wall
was finally abandoned.
Today, spectacular stretches of the Wall
remain over some of the most rugged countryside to be found in the
British Isles. Glimpses of Roman organisation, religion and
culture remain in view along the Wall at the various forts,
milecastles, temples, museums etc. Hadrian's Wall is without
doubt the most prominent and important monument left by the Romans
in Britain. It captures dramatic images of a Britain divided
by conflict and occupation.
Where to see the Wall
Hadrian's
Wall Bus - runs daily in the summer between Carlisle and Hexham
stopping at visitor attractions along the route. Each bus
connects with rail and bus services in Carlisle, Haltwhistle and
Hexham. A knowledgeable and friendly guide is often aboard weekend
services. Limited winter service. Contact: 01434 344777 / 322002
Birdoswald
Roman Fort and Visitor Centre - 18 miles East of Carlisle city
centre
Chesters Roman Fort, north of Hexham on the B6318
Housesteads
Fort, on the B6318
Get
the most out of your visit to Hadrian's Wall World Heritage
Site! More details
©T.A.J
After
they invaded Britain in AD43, the Romans quickly established control
over southern England. The conquest of the 'wild barbarians' in the
North however was not going to be so easy.
