Romans And Hadrian's Wall

The Roman Empire by the time of Emporer Hadrian had reached its zenith. To maintain the Empire and preserve its boundaries the Emperor ordered the construction of a wall running some 73 miles long in Britain. The purpose was to create a clear line marking the boundary between Roman Briatain and Pictland or Caledonia. It was a massive achievement taking some 5 years to complete. The project began 122 A.D. and concluded in 127 A.D.

Below are two more shots of the general layout. One of the turret towers and one of a mile castle. There were some 76 urret towers with two such towers placed between each mile caslte at relatively equal distances. These turres were used to provide patrols a place to sleep, eat and rest.

As stated there may have been as many as forty mile castles. These strong points were large enough to host a small garrison of 120 men or a maniple. Inside there might be a barrack block and cook house or a storage building. Each provided the Romans a point of egress into the country of the Picts to the north. Another gate was placed so that Roman units could enter the post from a military road that ran the full length of the wall some distance behind the wall itself. These were important posts to be held at all costs.