The Antonine Wall
by Jo Ramsdell
The Romans first invaded Britain in 55BC but did not launch a real and lasting invasion until AD 43. Some 30 years later they reached Scotland, when Julius Agricola launched his campaign north. By both land and sea, it took only seven years for him to take control of much of Scotland. Some forts were built along what would later become the line of the Antonine Wall.
 Around AD 122 the Roman Emperor Hadrian consolidated the northern Scottish frontier at the Tyne-Solway isthmus with the construction of Hadrian’s Wall.
On Hadrian’s death in AD 138, Antoninus Pius (reigned AD 138-161) succeeded to the throne.
Little is known about Antoninus despite a 23 year reign. He had no military experience but had held senior administrative posts.
It was perhaps to consolidate his position as Emperor and demonstrate military might, that Antoninus chose to re-invade Scotland. A series of supply forts, roads and fortlets were constructed on the routes up to the new frontier line of the Forth-Clyde isthmus. Construction on the Antonine Wal and its many forts commenced around AD 142.
.jpg) By far the biggest engineering project ever undertaken in the area, the Antonine Wall snaked right across the country from Clyde to Forth.
It took no notice of earlier native settlements and cut through pre-existing tribal boundries. The Wall was entirely built by members of three Roman legions stationed in Scotland, a labor force of around 7,000 men.
Unlike its stone built southern neighbor, Hadrian’s Wall, the rampart wall was constructed mostly of layers of turf and reached a height of three metres. Not just a wall, the defences also included a hug ditch, nearly 5 metres deep in places. Seventeen forts plus additional fortlets accommodated the 6,000-7,000 men stationed along the wall. The military way, a service road built to the south of the Wall enabled troops to move swiftly along its course, bearing supplies.
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Around AD 158 the order came from the Emperor to withdraw from Scotland. The Wall and its forts were abandoned, buildings were destroyed, burned or dismantled, and the soldiers marched off south. After the Romans left Britain the Wall became part of the surrounding countryside. On departure, the rampart was not demolished, nor was the ditch filled in.
The Romans returned to Scotland on limited occasions, but they appear to have abandoned further attempts to conquer Scotland. Around AD 411 the official Roman occupation of Britain ended. It wasn’t until the 18th century that antiquaries Alexander Gordon and John Horsley helped to identify long lost sites and mapmaker William Roy surveyed the Wall in 1755.
Map from Wikipedia - Photo from ancient.eu
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Finally, save the date of Saturday December 3rd, 2016 for the Society’s St. Andrew’s Day Dinner & Dance at the Phoenix Country Club. We’ll be joining Scots around the world to pay tribute to St. Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. Holding this formal evening in early December will allow us to join with other local Scots at a combined informal Robbie Burns Supper in January.!
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