13 Questions
Who succeeded Trajanus in 117 n.C.?
Hadrianus
What was the main reason for Hadrianus to build the wall in Britain?
To solve the barbarian problem
How many men were involved in the construction of Hadrian's Wall?
15,000 men
What was the function of the forts built along the wall?
To accommodate soldiers
What was a unique feature of the western section of Hadrian's Wall?
It was built with turf
What was the approximate height of Hadrian's Wall?
4-5m
What was the purpose of the passage every 1.5km along Hadrian's Wall?
To provide a vantage point for surveillance
What was a challenge faced by the designers of Hadrian's Wall?
Dealing with strong river currents
What was the primary function of Hadrian's Wall?
To mark the border of the Roman Empire
What was unique about the soldiers involved in the construction of Hadrian's Wall?
They were well-trained soldiers and skilled craftsmen
What was the purpose of the towers built between the watchtowers?
To serve as a lookout point
What was the significance of the forts built along Hadrian's Wall?
They accommodated soldiers and served as a base of operations
Who led the largest military expansion in Roman history?
Trajanus
Study Notes
Keizer Trajanus and the Roman Empire
- Keizer Trajanus led the largest military expansion in Roman history.
Hadrianus and the Roman Empire
- Hadrianus succeeded Trajanus in 117 n.C. and faced the challenge of defending the Roman Empire.
- In 122 n.C., Hadrianus visited Britain to address the issue of barbarian resistance along the northern border.
Construction of Hadrian's Wall
- Hadrianus decided to build a massive wall to solve the barbarian problem, a project unparalleled in Europe at the time.
- The wall was initially constructed with stone, except for the 48km western section, which was built with turf.
- A deep ditch was dug alongside the wall, with a passage every 1.5km, guarded by a small watchtower.
- Between two watchtowers, two towers were built.
- The stone wall was 4-5m high and 3m wide.
Logistics and Construction Process
- The construction of Hadrian's Wall required the entire Roman legion in Britain, approximately 15,000 men.
- The men were not only well-trained soldiers but also skilled craftsmen.
- Forts like the one in Chester were built along the wall, accommodating up to 1000 men.
Challenges and Impact
- The designers had to contend with strong river currents, hard rocks, and kilometers-long sloping hills.
- Hadrian's Wall marked the border of the Roman Empire in Britain, giving the Romans control over border crossings, immigration, and smuggling.
- From the barbarians' perspective, the wall must have seemed like a superhuman achievement and an intimidating symbol of Rome's imperial power.
Learn about the Roman Empire during the reign of Trajanus and Hadrianus, including the construction of Hadrian's Wall to defend against barbarian invasions.
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