Antonine Wall: Rome's Northern Frontier In Scotland

The Antonine Wall, built by the Romans in the mid 2nd century, was the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire in Britain.

It stretching for about 37 miles across the narrowest part of Scotland, from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde.

The wall marked the empire's boundary between Roman-controlled territory and the wild lands of the north, inhabited by various indigenous tribes.

Commissioned by Emperor Antoninus Pius around AD 142, it was a follow-up to Hadrian's Wall, which lies roughly 100 miles to the south.

Unlike Hadrian’s Wall, built primarily of stone, the Antonine Wall was constructed from turf and earth, piled on top of a stone foundation, with a deep ditch running in front of it.

The wall itself was a simpler structure than Hadrian's Wall, lacking the Vallum (a secondary ditch system) to its south.

It was primarily a turf bank around three metres high, with a wide ditch on the northern side and a military road to the south.

Stone foundations and wing walls at some of the forts show that the original plan was to build a stone wall similar to Hadrian's Wall, but this was soon changed.

Initially, the Romans intended to build forts every 6 miles, but this was adjusted to every 2 miles, leading to the construction of 19 forts along the wall.

Rough Castle Fort, one of the smallest, is the best-preserved fort.

Additionally, at least nine smaller fortlets, likely spaced at Roman mile intervals, were part of the original design, some later replaced by larger forts.

The most visible fortlet today is Kinneil, located near Bo'ness at the eastern end of the wall.

The purpose of the Antonine Wall was not just military defence but also a symbol of Roman power and a means to control movement and trade in the region.

The wall was manned by soldiers from various parts of the Roman Empire, including auxiliaries from Gaul, Spain, and the Danubian provinces.

Along with the Wall itself, several coastal forts in both the east (such as Inveresk) and the west (Outerwards and Lurg Moor) served as outposts or supply bases for the Wall.

Additionally, several forts farther north in the Gask Ridge area, including Ardoch, Strageath, Bertha (near Perth), and likely Dalginross and Cargill, were reactivated.

Inscriptions found at some of the wall’s forts, like those on the famous "distance slabs," show that soldiers took great pride in their work, leaving behind records of their construction efforts and victories over local tribes.

Despite its impressive construction, the Antonine Wall was only occupied for about 20 years.

After its completion, the Romans faced persistent attacks from the northern tribes and logistical challenges, eventually retreating to Hadrian’s Wall around AD 162.

Though the Antonine Wall was abandoned, it remained an important symbol of Rome's reach into Britain.

Today the Antonine Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised as part of the "Frontiers of the Roman Empire."

Visitors can explore its remains in various locations across Scotland, from the well-preserved sections at Rough Castle to museums that display Roman artefacts, like the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow.

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