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Osprey Fortress #2
Hadrian's Wall AD 122-410
Hadrian's Wall is the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain. It is the best known frontier in the entire Roman Empire and stands as a reminder of the past glories of one of the world's greatest civilisations. Its origins lie in a visit by the Emperor Hadrian to Britain in AD 122 when he ordered the wall to be built to mark the northern boundary of his Empire and 'to separate the Romans from the Barbarians'. This title details the design, development and construction of the wall and covers the everyday lives of those who manned it as well as the assaults it withstood.
64 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2003
About the author
Nic Fields
71 books23 followersDr Nic Fields started his career as a biochemist before joining the Royal Marines. Having left the Navy, he went back to University and completed a BA and PhD in Ancient History at the University of Newcastle. He was Assistant Director at the British School of Archaeology, Athens, and is now a lecturer in Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 18, 2023
HADRIAN'S WALL AD 122-410 is a great companion to the other Roman fortification titles in this series. It is loaded with color plates, photos, maps, and informative text.
Outside of Rome itself, Britain is probably one of the best places to go examine the old ruins of a once great empire. Though that empire stretched from here to there it was in Britain that man made fortifications guarded the length of the border. In other areas it was great rivers or seas of sand backed up by forts that served as a wall.
This wall, running from Bowness-on-Solway in the west to Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east cut across that great isle known in Roman times as Britannia. It was made of stone, with small forts called milecastles, about a Roman mile apart the length of the wall. Small watch towers holding about eight men were spaced in between the milecastles. Built either along the wall or at some location behind the wall were fortresses holding thousands of men. Most of these men on the wall or in the fortresses were auxiliary units recruited from the provinces rather than the Roman Legions themselves, which were their field armies.The purpose of the wall was to prevent raids from tribes north of the wall or to slow down an invasion, which the legions would deal with. It should be remembered that Roman tactics were based on meeting the enemy in the field and beating them in hand-to-hand combat.
Being as this book was about the wall, it was fitting that the construction was covered pretty well. Modern day Royal Engineers built a section of wall in 1966 as an archaeological experiment. From it they could calculate the time, effort and supplies needed for such an undertaking. Tables were provided of materials theoretically needed. According to these tables over a million cut stones of various sizes were needed.
What made this book stand out for me were the chapters dealing with life in the garrison. What did they eat? No, it wasn't fish and chips but rather local fruits and vegetables, bacon, pasta, wheat, fresh game, and especially shellfish. What were their bathing and latrine facilities like? Instead of a bathtub, they would enter the first room which was cold where they undressed, then they proceed to the next room which was warm, and then on to the hot room where they sweated out the dirt. They would then leave working their way back to the cold room where they rinsed off with cold water and dressed. A latrine was attached. There was no privacy but rather long, cold stone benches where you positioned your hind end over a keyhole shaped hole and did your business. What did they do for amusement? They played games, some of which were for chance, or like soldiers throughout the centuries, sought out wine, women, and song.
These auxiliaries served a 25 year enlistment. Upon discharge they received a small bronze tablet called a 'diploma,' which granted them the much sought after Roman citizenship. Now he could legally marry and any children born were citizens. Even though they couldn't marry while serving, many fathered children with the above mentioned women. These bastards grew up to serve there as their fathers had done. Daughters followed in their mothers' footsteps as well.
The 2004 movie 'KING ARTHUR' is of course Hollywood, but one can get an idea of the wall and life therein when viewing this film.
Anyone living in or visiting Britain should take the time to visit these old sites. Unfortunately, like the great Pyramids of Egypt, many of the buildings and walls were robbed of stone blocks over the years for other building projects.
My only gripe about this work were some of the photos. Although they were neat to look at, I couldn't really tell what was what. In the future I hope he puts an 'x' over what he is referring to. Other than that, this book was great!
Outside of Rome itself, Britain is probably one of the best places to go examine the old ruins of a once great empire. Though that empire stretched from here to there it was in Britain that man made fortifications guarded the length of the border. In other areas it was great rivers or seas of sand backed up by forts that served as a wall.
This wall, running from Bowness-on-Solway in the west to Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east cut across that great isle known in Roman times as Britannia. It was made of stone, with small forts called milecastles, about a Roman mile apart the length of the wall. Small watch towers holding about eight men were spaced in between the milecastles. Built either along the wall or at some location behind the wall were fortresses holding thousands of men. Most of these men on the wall or in the fortresses were auxiliary units recruited from the provinces rather than the Roman Legions themselves, which were their field armies.The purpose of the wall was to prevent raids from tribes north of the wall or to slow down an invasion, which the legions would deal with. It should be remembered that Roman tactics were based on meeting the enemy in the field and beating them in hand-to-hand combat.
Being as this book was about the wall, it was fitting that the construction was covered pretty well. Modern day Royal Engineers built a section of wall in 1966 as an archaeological experiment. From it they could calculate the time, effort and supplies needed for such an undertaking. Tables were provided of materials theoretically needed. According to these tables over a million cut stones of various sizes were needed.
What made this book stand out for me were the chapters dealing with life in the garrison. What did they eat? No, it wasn't fish and chips but rather local fruits and vegetables, bacon, pasta, wheat, fresh game, and especially shellfish. What were their bathing and latrine facilities like? Instead of a bathtub, they would enter the first room which was cold where they undressed, then they proceed to the next room which was warm, and then on to the hot room where they sweated out the dirt. They would then leave working their way back to the cold room where they rinsed off with cold water and dressed. A latrine was attached. There was no privacy but rather long, cold stone benches where you positioned your hind end over a keyhole shaped hole and did your business. What did they do for amusement? They played games, some of which were for chance, or like soldiers throughout the centuries, sought out wine, women, and song.
These auxiliaries served a 25 year enlistment. Upon discharge they received a small bronze tablet called a 'diploma,' which granted them the much sought after Roman citizenship. Now he could legally marry and any children born were citizens. Even though they couldn't marry while serving, many fathered children with the above mentioned women. These bastards grew up to serve there as their fathers had done. Daughters followed in their mothers' footsteps as well.
The 2004 movie 'KING ARTHUR' is of course Hollywood, but one can get an idea of the wall and life therein when viewing this film.
Anyone living in or visiting Britain should take the time to visit these old sites. Unfortunately, like the great Pyramids of Egypt, many of the buildings and walls were robbed of stone blocks over the years for other building projects.
My only gripe about this work were some of the photos. Although they were neat to look at, I couldn't really tell what was what. In the future I hope he puts an 'x' over what he is referring to. Other than that, this book was great!
December 1, 2019
Too much archeology-proven discussion on the construction in turf, lime-based cement, stone and oak. The proper distinction between different types of fortification (from cavalry bases spawning a village down to a watchtower which held as few as 16 auxiliaries). The artwork on these subjects is museum quality.
Some speculation on the origin of the wall: not just part of a coherent Hadrian defensive policy, but a reaction to a 120s shift in allegiance of the local major tribe. Either way, like a medieval castle it was a platform for expedition, but unlike a medieval castle it wasn't build to withstand a siege; the Legion would still give battle in the open beyond.
There simply isn't enough on life at the wall or the actions taking place around it. Based on identifiable cohorts, a table of muster doesn't cut mustard.
Some speculation on the origin of the wall: not just part of a coherent Hadrian defensive policy, but a reaction to a 120s shift in allegiance of the local major tribe. Either way, like a medieval castle it was a platform for expedition, but unlike a medieval castle it wasn't build to withstand a siege; the Legion would still give battle in the open beyond.
There simply isn't enough on life at the wall or the actions taking place around it. Based on identifiable cohorts, a table of muster doesn't cut mustard.
May 23, 2017
Mr. Fields does a wonderful job providing a very detailed discussion on Hadrian's Wall in this fine offering by Osprey. Well illustrated and assembled, this book provides a great overview of the period surrounding the wall's origins and the details on the construction and operations of the wall itself, including some fascinating details on the everyday lives of those who stood guard along it's walkways.
The photographs provided by the author offer some sense of how the wall was built, giving the text more power and meaning. Even the fiddlybits of data like mortar mixtures and stone shapings were included.
About half of the book is focused on construction details and the other on the forces guarding the wall, their daily routines, and the supporting camps that sprung up to maintain Legion troops, equipment, and food stocks.
The only tiny ding on it was the garrison tables being somewhat difficult to read, or perhaps just awkward. These might have been made a little easier if a different format was used to present the data. My opinion.
This book goes very well with "Fortresses #31- Rome's Northern Frontier AD70-235", and I highly recommend reading them together. Some cross-pollinating, but many more details included.
This is a solid 4.5 Star book, that gets the nudge for 5 by rounding due to being generally excellent. Well written books deserve the benefit of rounding up in my mind. The references were excellent, which also inclined me to give the book the bump.
The photographs provided by the author offer some sense of how the wall was built, giving the text more power and meaning. Even the fiddlybits of data like mortar mixtures and stone shapings were included.
About half of the book is focused on construction details and the other on the forces guarding the wall, their daily routines, and the supporting camps that sprung up to maintain Legion troops, equipment, and food stocks.
The only tiny ding on it was the garrison tables being somewhat difficult to read, or perhaps just awkward. These might have been made a little easier if a different format was used to present the data. My opinion.
This book goes very well with "Fortresses #31- Rome's Northern Frontier AD70-235", and I highly recommend reading them together. Some cross-pollinating, but many more details included.
This is a solid 4.5 Star book, that gets the nudge for 5 by rounding due to being generally excellent. Well written books deserve the benefit of rounding up in my mind. The references were excellent, which also inclined me to give the book the bump.
July 9, 2012
In second installment of Osprey's Fortress series, Mr. Fields figures out what this series should be about. Subject matter is dealt with systematically and logically - short, consist chapters deal with purpose of the construction of the wall, chronology of its building, construction techniques, fortification layout and purpose and finally with the troops that garrisoned it. Compared to the first volume, this one is more cohesive and therefore easier to read.
Of course, as most other Osprey booklets, this one should be regarded an quick introduction to the topic. Keep that in mind and you won't be disappointed.
Of course, as most other Osprey booklets, this one should be regarded an quick introduction to the topic. Keep that in mind and you won't be disappointed.
June 11, 2020
Osprey Fortress series, keeping to the normal format of 60 pages.
For a short book, this is quite a dense read.
Looks at the reasons behind the construction, how it was built, and the life of the legions on and around it.
Well illustrated, this is a decent read.
For a short book, this is quite a dense read.
Looks at the reasons behind the construction, how it was built, and the life of the legions on and around it.
Well illustrated, this is a decent read.
September 22, 2014
I purchased Hadrian's Wall AD 122-410 by Nic Fields as research for a project I am working on. It is a great introduction to Hadrian's Wall to Roman fortifications and the origins of Hadrian's Wall. The illustrations by Donato Spedalier help visualize what it was like to live in the Roman army in Rome's most northern frontier.
This is an excellent book for those who want an overview of Hadrian's Wall or for those planning to trek the Hadrian's Wall Path. For those interested, there is listing of books for further reading and research.
This is an excellent book for those who want an overview of Hadrian's Wall or for those planning to trek the Hadrian's Wall Path. For those interested, there is listing of books for further reading and research.
February 14, 2012
A lot of information about the construction of the wall, but not too much about what life was like during that period. Definitely informational.
October 4, 2015
Very technical indeed. But anyway, I had not realized how involved all of this business was, with forts and everything (or how long it lasted).
May 2, 2025
Published in 2003, 'Hadrian's Wall AD 122-410' is number 2 in the Fortress series of military histories from publishers Osprey. This volume takes a basic look at the barrier built by the Romans between the northern limits of Roman Britain and the barbarians beyond. Much is made of surviving parts of the structure, and some attempt is made to summarise what the wall in its entirety was, since so much of it is now gone. I did find it quite an eye opener, despite the fact that it deals with the subject at a very basic level, although a good summary of recommended further reading in the final pages would address this for anyone so inclined as to seek more information.
October 3, 2015
This is a fine Osprey Publishing Illustrated book, number 2 of the Fortress series, that includes full-color artwork, photographs and color maps.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews