Hadrian's Wall: Ancient Rome's Great Northern Frontier | Odyssey

Dan Snow explores the physical remains of Hadrian’s vast project of 122AD - over 80 Roman miles of wall, turrets and forts, stretching from coast to coast across northern England. Mile after mile of stone marching over the horizon.

But why did the Romans go to all this effort? We dig into the key questions: was the wall a barrier or a porous border; a hubristic vanity project or a vital line of defence; who lived on and around the wall; and why has it endured in popular culture for nearly two thousand years, right up to Game of Thrones?

Odyssey is your journey into the world of Ancient History; from the dawn of Mesopotamia to the fall of Rome. We'll be bringing you only the best documentaries that journey into the mysteries and ruins of worlds long lost.

Subscribe so you don't miss out!

[nicknorris]

They keep putting out Handrians wall videos and I love it

[set]

Hiking this over 5 days (c. 20 miles per day) was a great experience. And I discovered great b&bs along the way.

[JA]

Great video about history and the wall. Awesome

[koomaj]

This is great episode. Dan is a good presenter.

[johnslaughter]

Very good presentation, Dan. When you commented about the phallus being the work of a mason, I remembered something I read long ago - all Roman Legionaries are masons. Their regular day jobs including the building of all the edifices that we see today.

[Foundry_made]

2:21 Hadrian's wall wasn't an enigma. The Romans already did it in Germania with the "limes" - a literal wall with gates, guardhouses, and garrisons that delineated the maximum limit of the empire - starting in AD 83, something like a century before Hadrian came to power. The remains of the limes still exist in the form of earthworks. The only thing that makes Hadrian's wall different is that it was entirely constructed of stone.

[GermanGreetings]

Another giant video, Dan ! Heartly salutes from the Limeswall :)

[HAMMER_.]

I loe getting lost in thought about all the adventures and.happenimgs that must have gone on at the Wall so long ago. All the patrols, attacks, the seemingly boring logistics behind supplying the forts, etc.

[GlasgowCeltic]

7:28 "Do you find it... wisible... when I say the name...: 'Biggus'.... 'Dickus'...??"

[bobbydazzler]

I really enjoyed this. thanks to the whole team

[eric_]

That was really freaking good!!!! The best doc on hadrians wall I've seen so far

[markmuller]

"That is the largest phallus in Roman Britain". Alright, it's all I needed to know, now I can die happy

[robertthebruce-geniusofban]

Excellent piece of film. A place I will be walking this autumn!

[michaelkamradt]

Related to John Snow. Now I am really impressed.

[nancytestani]

Amazing, so cool. So, how tall was it?

[annwilliams]

I’m sure that the Barbarians were allowed through with their livestock - as long as they paid a toll fee. The Romans were all about money and did trade with anyone. The narrow gate would have allowed for better counting of the people and livestock in order to assess the toll. (And search for arms, no doubt.)

[cherietillapaughhott]

Roman Bath House = American Pizza. Got it.

[KernowekTim]

Perceived "Savagery" from "Civilisation". I think the wall symbolised that Rome lacked the ability to truly conquer the 'killing-grounds' of the far North. The domain of the Highlander.

[steveSestric]

the answer to how they wiped themselves is.. there were two servants on either end of the bench, that is seen with the large flat worn stones they stood on, , and above then at waist level was the ledge for the water pitchure.. these attendants poured water over their back side to allow the attendees to hand wipe themselves with the water provided.. as seen at 26:11 time stamp...

[BlairRUM]

Forts not castles Dan.
But an excellent production.
Simon Elliot is a font of knowledge of Romano Britain.