Hadrian's Wall

HADRIAN'S Wall is one of the most celebrated, and most remarkable, historical monuments to be found anywhere in the world. It is exceeded in scale only by the Great Wall of China, which was built much later in history.
It was built by the occupying Roman army to mark and protect the northern border of the Empire, and to provide defence against the fierce Picts, wild and aggressive British natives who lived in what are now the Scottish borderlands and northern Northumberland. It also functioned as a springboard for the Romans' own raids northwards.

Hadrian's Wall as it appears today near Haltwhistle in Northumberland
The wall was begun in AD 122, following a visit to the area by the then Caesar, Hadrian. He ordered the Governor of Britain, Aulus Platorius, to undertake what was to become one of the greatest engineering projects yet to be seen in the world.
When completed, the wall was up to seven metres high, and was about 73 miles (118km) long. It stretched from Wallsend, outside Newcastle, in the east, to Bowness-upon-Solway, a little to the west of Carlisle.
Along its entire length was a system of evenly spaced ëmilecastlesí (a Roman mile was slightly shorter than the present one, at 1,480 metres) each manned by a detachment of 50 soldiers.
It also provided a number of secured crossing points for traders and other travellers wishing to cross the border.
There was additionally a chain of 12 or more ëgreat fortsí along the route of the wall. These were large rectangular enclosures housing garrisons of up to 1,000 men as well as substantial civilian communities to service the needs of the troops.
The wall was built from stone and rubble, and was complemented by a deep ditch on its north side.

Cannibalisation
On the south (Roman) side, a road for transportation of soldiers and supplies followed the wall's route, while a further 65 metres beyond that was the ëvallumí, a large ditch which is still evident today in many places.
Nowadays, almost 1,600 years after it fell into disuse when the Romans left Britain, Hadrian's Wall is still visible along much of its length, although much reduced in height due to 'cannibalisation' by local people through the ages. Unaware of its importance as an historic monument, they viewed it instead as an easy source of building materials. Sections can even be spotted in Newcastle itself.
Despite the depradations, the wall is still impressive as it soars along the rugged crags of Northumberland.
On a fine day it is spectacular, with the superb scenic views providing a wonderful backdrop to an almost immortal legacy left by a sophisticated and ingenious people.
It is not difficult to imagine what a daunting obstacle it must have presented to those who would challenge the might of the Romans.
Close inspection can bring it even more to life - on some stones can be seen the personal signatures left by the masons as they built the structure, as well as less formal examples of Roman ëgraffitií carved into the wall up to 1,800 years ago.
Contrary to popular belief, most of the soldiers who served the Roman army in this often bleak and forbidding outpost of the Empire were not full citizens of Rome. They were mainly conscripts from other parts of the realm, such as Gaul (modern France) and what is now Germany.
Hadrianís Wall is an impressive, at times awe-inspiring, testament to the power and determination of the Roman Empire at its height. It is fitting that its entire length is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It attracts visitors from all over the world, and has the advantage of being located in one of the most beautiful, and friendly, parts of modern England.
The Empire
The Romans first came to Britain in AD43, and rapidly established themselves as rulers of ëBritanniaeí, first colonising the southern half of the island, then gradually moving northwards, gaining possession of the area immediately south of Hadrian's Wall in around 71.
They stayed until the eventual collapse of the empire in the first half of the fifth century, so the Wall was in use for around 300 years.