Hadrian’s Wall

Walls in History

Great Wall of China (from 221 b.C.)

Berlin Wall, Germany(from 1961 to 1989)

Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall

Index

history

artifactS

interesting facts

functions

QUIZ

structure

vocabulary

When was the wall built, and by whom?

History

• Built from 122 AD to 128 AD under the emperor Hadrian

• More than 15.000 soldiers employed
• Latin: Vallum Hadriani

Function

Why it was built?

• The Hadrian’s Wall has been built for the control of the frontier, against the Picts: it spanned from coast to coast
• It became also a place where soldiers and civilians exchanged goods and ideas (a meeting point of local customs, religions and traditions)
• Many settlement centers were built along the wall

What was the structure like?

Structure

• lenght: 117km
• width: 3m
• height: 4,5m
• every mile there was a gate protected by a small fort, between two observation towers.
• the Wall was built in turf then replaced by stone, and was fronted by a wide, deep ditch

What is "the Written Rock of Gelt"?

Artifact

On a large quarry, known as the Written Rock of Gelt, there are numerous inscriptions

• "APRO ET MAXIMO CONSOLIBUS OFICINA MERCATI" ="In the consulship of Aper and Maximus"
• It dates back to 207 AD
• Located about 9 meters above the Gelt River, south of Hadrian's Wall.

The graffiti also includes a face, thought to be a caricature of the commander

Facts

Some interesting facts

George R. R. Martin and the Wall of Game of Thrones

• Hadrian's Wall was one of the main inspirations for the Wall in his television series

Covertina - celtic deity

• Covertina is associated with the spring of Brocolitia
• She is the symbol of purification, healing and protection.

Hadrian's wall Quiz

Quiz

When was the wall built and by who?

In 122 AD by order of Hadrian

To protect the empire from the Picts and to monitor the exchange of goods.

Why it was built?

117 km (length), 3m (width), 4,5m (height)

Do you remember its dimensions?

It's a big Roman graffiti found in a quarry near the Wall

What is "the written rock of Gelt"?

They record the names, ranks, and military units of the workers who built the Wall.

What do those graffiti tell?

Both walls have a protective function, and they are located in the same place.

What do Hadrian's Wall and the Wall in Game of Thrones have in common?

She is the symbol of, healing, protection and water; she became a symbol of purification.

What did Coventina symbolize and why?

Yes, and you can follow the trail and visit some Museums.

Is Hadrian's Wall still existing?

Vocabulary

to span = estendersi

consulship = consolato

major fort = fortezza principale

quarry = caverna

picts = northern people

infantrymAN = FANTE

moundS = tumuli

embankment = argine/rialzo

ditch = fossato

settlement centers = centri di insediamento

berm = terrapieno

rampart = bastione

Empire = impero

turf = tufo

Hadrian's wall

Thanks for your attention

Vittorio and Giulia

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