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Discover the Top 10 Amazing Fun Facts About Hadrian's Wall: History and Secrets Unveiled!

illustration of hadrians-wall
Embark on a thrilling journey through time as we uncover some fascinating and lesser-known tidbits about the iconic Hadrian's Wall that'll have you itching to grab a pickaxe and start digging for more!

1. Hadrian, the OG Wall Builder

When Emperor Hadrian put the "Great" in "Great Britain" by building his own epic, border-busting DIY project: Hadrian's Wall was actually constructed in 122 AD to defend the Roman province of Britannia from those pesky Scottish Caledonians, serving not as an offensive weapon, but a security barrier to curb immigration and smuggling across Roman borders.
Source => history.com

2. Ancient Home Security System

You know how people are building walls these days? Well, Emperor Hadrian was way ahead of the curve back in AD 122: This Roman overachiever ordered a 73-mile (117.5 kilometers) wall to be built across northern Britain, stretching from Wallsend on the River Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway, just to keep the barbarian tribes in check and mark the north-west frontier of the Roman empire for nearly three centuries. Talk about ancient home security!
Source => english-heritage.org.uk

3. Extreme Roman Wall-to-Wall Hiking Trail

The Roman Empire was clearly invested in keeping up with the Caledonians: they built a 73-mile-long wall to avoid uninvited guests! Seriously though: Emperor Hadrian initiated the construction of Hadrian's Wall in AD 122 as a barrier against Celtic Tribes in Southern Scotland, and despite centuries of repurposing, over 10 miles of the original wall still remain. Nowadays, it serves as an 84-mile hiking trail, the Hadrian's Wall Path, showcasing ancient Roman landmarks, lush landscapes, and breathtaking panoramic views, making it a top-rated UK hiking spot.
Source => bookitlist.com

4. Milecastle Party Time!

Did you hear about the wild ancient Roman parties along Hadrian’s Wall? They happened every mile or so at "milecastle" shindigs, or at least that's what historians might have you believe: In reality, those milecastles served as bases for patrolling the wall and outposts for troops, with approximately 81 of them scattered along its length, although not all are still visible today.
Source => perlineamvalli.wordpress.com

Syria's Best Roman Soldiers

5. Syria's Best Roman Soldiers

Move over, Indiana Jones: back in Roman Britain, you'd find that the "syrian-sational" soldiers of Housesteads fort along Hadrian's Wall were making history too! Unearthed artifacts, like a helmet inscribed with the name "Reganius" (a common moniker in modern-day Syria), reveal the intriguing presence of Syrian troops in this far-flung northwest outpost of the Roman empire.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Rome's Next Top Wall

If Hadrian's Wall had legs, it would have stolen the spotlight on Rome's Next Top Model: flaunting its uniformed soldiers, temples, and porticoes like a high-fashion power statement, and sending updates from its turrets like ancient Instagram influencers: In reality, this impressive structure served as a widely-recognized symbol of Roman might, effectively intimidating enemies and maintaining communication with turrets to report suspected activities or troop movements.
Source => thecivilengineer.org

7. Soldiers' Ancient Dark Mode Tablets

Ever wonder what ancient Roman soldiers wrote on before paper and pens were cool? Well, they had their own version of the iPhone's Notes app, complete with 'Dark Mode': Archaeologists discovered a stylus wax tablet from 105-120 AD at a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, offering insights into the daily life and communication of these soldiers through their wax-covered wooden tablets.
Source => bbc.com

8. Roman Legions Build-a-Wall Entertainment

When Rome's finest couldn't Netflix and chill, they built themselves a wall: To keep thousands of idle soldiers busy and disciplined, the three Roman legions got together to construct Hadrian's Wall, creating a years-long project that offered them entertainment beyond their wildest Roman dreams.
Source => englishhistory.net

9. Rome's Great Wall of Britannia

If the Romans had to build their version of the Great Wall instead of China, they would have called it simply "Hadrian's Wall" — a wall so grand that it was the king of walls in Roman-British real estate! The serious reveal: Constructed in 122 AD, Hadrian's Wall stretched 73 miles across northern England as a defensive barrier, and today stands as the largest Roman archaeological feature, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular tourist attraction in Britain.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Lemon-Roofed Luxury on Hadrian's Wall

10. Lemon-Roofed Luxury on Hadrian's Wall

When life gives you Hadrian's Wall, you make a lemon-roofed villa: This ancient Roman wall was not just a northern barricade, but also a sprawling military complex housing 9,000 to 15,000 soldiers complete with hospitals, granary barns, sacred chapels, and even luxurious abodes for the commander and his family, all contributing to the Romanization of Britain.
Source => thecollector.com

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