Hadrian's Wall

ancient Rome · England · engineering

Built by Romans. Emperor Hadrian ordered the wall to be built starting in AD 122 as a defensive fortification to protect the Roman province of Britannia from attacks from the north.

Stretched across the island. The wall ran all the way from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west, crossing the entire width of what is now northern England.

Made of stone and ditches. The wall was constructed from stone and had large ditches dug both in front and behind it to make it even harder for enemies to cross or climb.

Guarded by soldiers. Roman soldiers were stationed all along the wall in large forts, smaller milecastles (small fortified posts), and watchtowers called turrets to keep watch and protect the wall.

Controlled trade too. Beyond just being a military defense, the wall's gates also served as customs posts where officials could inspect and tax goods being traded between regions.