Modifcations
Archaelogical evidence
Archaeologists have identified that the chronology of the building work changed at an early point in the construction. Modifications were made such that the army could respond faster to threats both north and south.
These modifications included forts that were originally planned to be behind the wall, being moved up onto the wall. This permitted the troops to sally out and deal with threats immediately.
A second modification of the wall being made narrower was done. Whilst most of the wall allowed two soldiers to patrol along it, making the wall narrower saved an enormous amount of time and effort for the legions in cement and building stone.
A third modification was the addition of the vallum or ditch on the south side dug to keep the southern tribes out of the military zone.
This is a highly unusual feature and Hadrian’s wall is the only roman wall to have this in the whole empire.
These dislocations have been calculated to have happened as many as six times by archaeologists during the construction of the wall. The exact time of the dislocation cannot be calculated. However, at some point during the massive engineering work that was taking place the Roman frontier was attacked.
With Hadrian being present in Britain at the time the response would have been immediate.
He had brought with him three legions plus auxiliary soldiers from Britain. A combined force of over 20,000 soldiers who would defend the empire.
Hadrian's Defence Plan for Britain
Imperial dedication stone found at Hadrian's wall.
"Son of all deified Emperors, the Emperor Caesar Trajan Hadrian Augustus, after the necessity of keeping the empire within limits had been laid upon him by divine precept, and after the barbarians had been dispersed and the province of Britannia been recovered, he added a wall between either shore of the ocean for 80 miles. The army of the province built this defence work under the charge of Aulus Platorius Nepos, Emperors Propraetorian Legate”
Building the wall
By 90AD Rome had conquered most of Britain. Hadrian had decided he wanted to keep the province of Britannia.The tribes in the south had become romanised and accepted roman rule.
The tribes who lived north of the wall would be controlled entering the province. The real Brigantes were the tribe to the south of the wall which lived the roman way. They were the Brigantes the Romans wanted to keep and be part of the empire.
Culturally the Brigantes to the south were the group who possessed what was unique about Britain. Their society was different and they appreciated being part of the empire.
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