Could You Survive As A Roman Soldier On Hadrian’s Wall?

Could you survive as a Roman soldier on Hadrian's Wall? Join the History Hit KZbin team as we discover what life was like for Roman legionaries and auxiliary troops on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Joined by top Roman historian Dr Simon Elliott, we march along a section of Hadrian's Wall in full Roman armour, but will we make it to the safety of Birdoswald Roman fort? Thanks to the Trimontium Museum for providing the armour and weapons featured in this video: www.trimontium.co.uk/
In the 2nd century AD, the Roman army in Britain embarked on one of the most ambitious building projects in history. On the orders of the emperor Hadrian, a 73-mile-long wall was constructed, crossing northern Britain from the Irish Sea in the west, to the North Sea in the east, marking the northern limit of the Roman empire.
Construction of the wall is now thought to have begun shortly after Hadrian became emperor in 117 AD, with the man himself arriving in Britain in 122 AD to check in on its progress. As for why it was built, that’s still the subject of fierce debate among historians. Was it purely a military fortification, a kind of customs barrier or simply a vanity project?
What we do know is that soldiers from three different legions were drafted in to build it, helped no doubt by forced labour from the local population. But for most of its history, the wall wasn’t guarded by highly trained legionaries, it was manned by a garrison of perhaps 9,000 auxiliary troops. This number was mostly made up of recruits sourced from the north-western provinces of the empire, but the records show that Romanian, Syrian and even North Africans were stationed there.
But the key question is, could you survive as a soldier on Hadrian’s wall?
In this video, History Hit presenters Luke Tomes and Louee Dessent set out on a 2-mile march along Hadrian's Wall, to discover why the northern frontier was one of the toughest postings in the Roman empire, and how your experience here might look very different, depending on your role and rank. Whipping both into shape and leading the march is Roman historian and author Dr Simon Elliott.
Will the three make it to the safety of the fort? Stick around to find out… and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell!
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#historyhit #hadrianswall #romanhistory
00:00 Hadrian's Wall
02:46 Our Centurion Arrives
04:27 Roman Soldier Weapons and Equipment
10:23 Roles and Responsibilities of a Roman Soldier
14:58 Roman Bridge and Marching Camp
17:30 Diet of a Roman Soldier
18:21 Roman Army Military Formations
22:13 Entry Requirements For Roman Legionaries
24:10 Birdoswald Roman Fort
33:35 Reflections

[@HistoryHit]

Hope you enjoyed guys! What do you think would've been the worst part of the job for a Roman soldier? 🤔

[@CAP198462]

Going to the Medicus would be a unique experience I fear.

[@Dr_Will_Tarr]

I enjoyed your show… I visited Hadrian’s Wall and the forts. The wall is divided in wide wall (you could walk on, and a thinner wall . The thinner wall you would not walk on. It’s purpose is not to fight from but limit cattle rustling and control of goods back and forth. Like a California Freeway sound wall… barely defensive. The small castles and fortlets and patrols were the main defenses.

[@romanhistorywalks6526]

I subscribe to the History hit website but can’t find it

[@g0679]

Inter-campaign construction projects. (No excitement at all!)

[@jordanb5629]

Why cant i find this episode on history hit on prime? I pay for the subscription.

[@smoothjazz2143]

The real tough soldier was the cameraman who walked those miles carrying a heavy camera set without complaining

[@shichilaofa]

Car.

[@lukewarm2075]

Nah it was recorded on a iPhone

[@willcortez78]

Probably a drone

[@randomguy6152]

the cameraman is like the roman standard bearer

[@letoubib21]

_Maybe _*_he_*_ does be a real Roman . . ._ ;-)

[@waynester71]

People on that train would have been like… “did I just see Roman soldiers??” 😮😄

[@mattvjmeasures]

A train service so slow they're actually travelling backwards in time 🙂.

[@Immopimmo]

Too bad they had a camera crew with them. If I were a roman reenactor, I'd get some mates together and march around Hadrian's wall, preferably at dusk or in the mist, and make people think we were ghosts. 😁

[@jjcoola998]

THATS A ROMAN SOLDIER INNIT GUV?!?

[@LilShrooms]

@@ImmopimmoLOL this is an amazing idea that I could totally see happening on a tv show like Curb hahaha

[@amberspecter]

"Are we there yet?" That's most likely an accurate quote

[@Annoxium]

Hadrian's Wall was actually much taller in its original form. It was originally constructed with a base of stone and topped with a wooden palisade that stood around 20 feet (6 meters) tall. This made it a formidable barrier for anyone trying to cross into Roman Britain. However, over the centuries, much of the wall has been dismantled and used for building materials, so today it stands at a fraction of its original height. Despite this, Hadrian's Wall remains an important and impressive historical site that is well worth visiting.

[@Gr8tBlueHeron]

And here I thought it was just that the old timey Scots couldn't jump.

[@andrem4877]

@@Gr8tBlueHeron they were tiny he made up that entire story.

[@jackdubz4247]

@@Gr8tBlueHeron There were no "Scots" at the time. Just Picts. The Scots didn't come over from Ireland until wee bit later.

[@Gr8tBlueHeron]

@@jackdubz4247 and here I thought the old timey Picts just couldn't jump.

[@chillinkrillin1378]

​@@AnonYmousxxx69420xxx if you posted a link it doesn't show up. Other than that I can't make much sense of what you said...

[@zuuzuuka]

An interesting fat - 2000 years ago soldiers from around Basra in modern day Iraq were stationed at the Hadrian's Wall, at the whim of the senate. 2000 years later, soldiers from the area of Britain around the Hadrian's wall were stationed in Basra as part of an armed force lead by a certain other senate.

[@tylerthedank]

what goes around, comes around.

[@JDoe-gf5oz]

A very interesting fat.

[@joshuddin897]

@@JDoe-gf5oz obesity isn't funny

[@tootsie40]

@@joshuddin897 But it goes around and comes around...get it?

[@jaimevalencia6271]

Wtf did. You just type

[@Sanakudou]

This was really informative but also extremely entertaining! Loved seeing how much fun the presenters were having as Roman soldiers 😆

[@again5162]

Romans were rich they could pay farm workers to be present in roll call meanwhile...

[@coleparker]

I walked the wall back in 1977. It was quite and experience for me, as the Roman army was one of my main interest back then, and I was just starting to become an Archaeologist.

[@thatguy0424]

You had to use auto correct for archeologists didn’t you😂😂

[@coleparker]

@@thatguy0424 No, I know the difference. I only use Archeologist in certain cases, for example on some US Govt forms😀

[@lukedavidson2196]

Nice to see alot of this was filmed on my local dog walk, a little village called Gilsland in Cumbria/Northumberland.

[@lindgrenland]

Sounds like the ultimate dog walking trail

[@beeman2075]

That's a beautiful part of the UK to live in.

[@davidcreager1945]

if i had the choice i would want to be stationed at Vindolanda . The whole wall was well engineered . i always think of the letters that were uncovered at Vindolanda, asking for wool socks from home. all in all a great video ! bravo ! to everyone who participated in it !!! would love to see more on the wall , in the future !!!

[@jean-lucwaters6117]

Went there on a school trip when I must've been 12 or 13 and got to wear some of their replica armour!

[@thisasiankidistrashfordram374]

Imagine all the lads from the hot climates of West Asia(the Near East), Africa & Southern Europe who were sent so far up North by Rome. They might have never really needed wool socks till then. I'm from the Southeast Asian tropics myself & I'd probably freeze, especially while wearing the regular Roman legionary uniform. That would be Before winter even starts. I'd try to carry on, but I'm not sure I'd survive a season.

[@PersonalityMalfunction]

There is an episode of Tasting History with Max Miller where he makes posca which he declares very refreshing. He also covers other Roman cooking and many other historical dishes. Highly recommended.

[@Froggy-nv7ep]

Passtheflamingo is also a good channel to check out 👍

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

I live within 5 miles of Vindolanda so have had most of the information covered here forced into me by osmosis over the years - but it's still interesting to hear the changing interpretations of the history as more archaeology gets revealed. Thank you for dedicating a full episode to the topic. I look forward to the episode where you both come back again in mid-January to repeat the walk in 8ft drifts... 😉

[@timlamiam]

i took a bus from Exeter to Vindolanda when i went to uni in England. Was awesome.

[@CondorTheBird]

No chance the UK gets 8 foot drifts of snow lmao

[@Crusty_Camper]

Search "Tan Hill snowed in" for an example. 8 foot drifts are not uncommon along this whole area.

[@glenn6583]

It is very tough to so far from the pub!

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

@@CondorTheBird I've spent many winters digging sheep out of them - but you're right it must just have been my imagination... 🤡

[@ozelhassan8576]

I bet someone on that train said What? and got confused. So funny. Lol

[@nighthunter3039]

I also very much liked the Asterix and Obelix reference they did there. 😂

[@SirRodericSpode]

Great video lads, thoroughly enjoyed. Good effort on the Gladiator wheat field intro!

[@lorrainegreen6782]

The guys were wearing modern day boots. The Romans wore hob nail sandals! Great video as always, guys.

[@halonkin2]

Their kit is pretty horrible overall

[@luminousfractal420]

Modern feet wouldnt do well 😂

[@ComradeHellfire]

@@halonkin2 At least one of them has chainmail, even if it’s also terrible

[@chalibard3826]

​@@halonkin2 but as said the Roman were pretty keen on taking good ideas from the local and standarding them. Pants were adopted by the roman legion in colder climate during the conquest of Gauls in 58 BC. I'm sure they would wear appropriate clothes in 122 AD on Hadrien's wall, even if not part of the standard kit.

[@user-fu9vj9ix3g]

Factoid: Roman troops wore hob-nailed boots - not sandals. There are thousands that have been recovered. Shoes as well. The boots were a brilliant design for an army on foot: Open toed, slats for ventilation and drainage, with triple soled hob-nailed bottoms. They typically were the height of a modern day hiking boot, just above the ankle, and quickly formed to the wearers feet. They likely caused no blisters becaue the ventialtion was excellent. Romans in the north wore heavy woolen socks that contained the natural lanolin for fairly good water repellancy. Boots were called caligulae, and were always being made in any semi permananent Roman camp or settlement as replacement kit. There are letters that stiplulate sales orders and personal requests from soldiers who needed a spare pair. They wore them out pretty fast, but there are no records of complaint about comfort. Modern replicas have been shown to be extremely comfortable and quick forming.

[@thejamaicanpolak3988]

This was great and very informative. Great job guys

[@N1611n]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you.

[@paulpaxtop1580]

The Vallum was not mentioned, a massive defensive line built approx 50 - 100m south of the wall, a bank, ditch and bank, defence in two directions delineating the military zone along with the wall and wall ditch. At first the locals would have been brutally rounded up to help build the wall, stone had to be quarried and carried, while legionaries built the structure the many tons of wall stone and packing would have been provided by forced labour of men women and children. Those that survived this awful treatment would certainly have born the scars and the grudges for years to come. This would be repeated elsewhere in Roman Britain especially during the building of Roman roads, much bigger projects than the wall, think of the amounts of stone required, the labour for levelling and construction, hundreds, maybe thousands of locals would be rounded up from miles around, beaten, half starved the logistics and the dangers to everyone involved must have been immense. Roman Britain especially in the early days would definitely not have been a good place.

[@smoothjazz2143]

without advanced tech or nearby resources such projects came at an enormous human cost indeed

[@youtubeis...]

a pretty good sense of humour in this

[@welshwarrior5263]

Very informative, very interesting and enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.

[@tituslaronius]

The Battle at Mons Grapius was one the rare instances that the auxilia was in the front lines. Usually the auxilia would hold the flanks of the legions, while the legions doing most of the fighting.

[@paulwilliams6159]

I'm a British expatriate living in Germany who occasionally motorcycles to the Isle of Man for the famous TT Races. One year I visited Hadrian's Wall after the TT while motorcycling around the North of England. Its well worth the visit but when I went it wasn't very well signposted which is typically British nonetheless I had no trouble finding it. I understand it was more a control point than a barrier against the barbaric locals.

[@nathanthomson1931]

It was multipurpose. As they mentioned, it cut through Brigantes territory, so it disrupted that coalition in every way: politically, socially, economically, and militarily. It was then both a barrier and a control line for anyone north of the wall. Some sections were built along natural escarpments, so it was a very significant defensive structure in those places. It was also pretty well manned.

[@paulwilliams6159]

@@nathanthomson1931 Thanks for the input.

[@benmacdui9328]

​@@paulwilliams6159 Wtf does you going to the Isle of Man TT have to do with this? Nobody cares mate

[@rajr1032]

Enjoyed the presentation and the adventure. Thanks for the insight into something that I had read about more than four decades ago, before I came across this channel.

[@Raz.C]

re - 33:00 - Using Hadrians Wall as an open quarry There's a part in (I think) a Terry Pratchett book, where he's describing a wall around a city (Ank-Morpork, I think). He describes the way by saying: "At first it was an impediment to further growth of the town, later becoming a source of masonry for it." I always remember that line whenever I hear about these kinds of things happening.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Most entertaining and informative. You DEFINITELY deserved your pint of wine. In a bowl, presumably. Nice one! 🌟🌟👍

[@bilpanama4671]

Loved this! Wish I could have accompanied y'all!

[@leeloxleigh1471]

Very interesting and informative. I love the way this video went. I have now subscribed to your channel.

[@Rusty_Gold85]

i like how the best Dulux paints and Brushes went into the design of the shields

[@DJL78]

I’ve been waiting for this one!!!

[@Colaris99]

Great stuff. Always enjoy when history is bought to life.

[@HistoryHit]

Much appreciated. We hope to do more of this kind of thing!

[@charwest5892]

it wouldnt be me stuck with the Romans, it would be the Romans stuck with ME

[@philiprufus4427]

Could you survive on Antonines wall ? It was actually in Scotland,between The Clyde and The Forth it even had Syrian Auxiliaries in one of the forts,near Dullater.

[@SimonAshworthWood]

😂 yeah, they’d be stuck with me too, because of my farts 🤪

[@robert.m4676]

@@SimonAshworthWood umm they fart times two. So you against those who fart twice as much. Good luck mate 😳

[@hamishanderson6738]

Fort is a derivation of fart (fartus smellicux). Or vice-versa.

[@robert.m4676]

@@hamishanderson6738 yikes

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Fantastic! Love history brought to live. Thank you👍 Ave from the Netherlands 🌷, T.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Several years ago I walked all the Wall with a friend, from Walls End to Solway, and even with the Book we had problems finding it at times. It had rained with muddy passes, and we could see the wall in the grass crossing a field, which we then entered (To avoid the mud), not to the owners agreement, as he complained from a distance! We also talked to a family wanting to built a garage on their land, and had to pay for a research, not to ruin any possible Roman remains! But they still find stones with the name of the troop which did built the walls section, and they are collected in the Museum at the Walls End. And I could imagine that many stone fences around came from the wall?

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

“Jocks to the left of me, Geordies to the right, Here I am, stuck in the middle with you…”

[@monkeytennis8861]

Pretty much the whole of Northumberland is north of wall so you're making little sense.

[@bob_the_bomb4508]

@@monkeytennis8861 you’re all north of Watford…

[@Stitchwitchstitch]

These three were great fun to watch; i knew it’d be fabulous by 02:52 with that brilliant nod- this made my night! MAXIMUS! Thanks for this!

[@gerrithoevers]

Really great video. Thanks very much.

[@pilgrimspassage8834]

Its a great walk from one end to other. Coast to coast. Did it earlier this year.

[@chris.asi_romeo]

Love watching documentaries like this.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Informative introduction & exciting-fun...thanks for sharing

[@KarlPHorse]

"Could you survive as a Roman soldier on Hadrian's wall?" I believe that depends on how well stocked on arrows the Picts are.

[@malcolmscally1533]

i come from the wrong side of the wall, i feel proud that the romans built this to stop us coming to play with them 😁 there is an old Alex Harvey song that says "i'm a roman on the wall and i don't know why" cheery weather and midgies must have been great perks of being on the wall 😂

[@Alfymale]

Not so much the midges - nowadays anyway. ( I live locally).

[@julianshepherd2038]

There was a ditch on both sides. It kept folk on as well as out

[@ThePhilipoconnor]

In all honesty I think its less them not wanting to fight but more that Scotland wasn't worth conquering. England and Wales was wet and dull enough but has plenty of arable land and is comparatively flat and Scotland is wetter, colder, hillier and the loss of life and resources to conquer and hold and "civilise" wasn't worth the return. Just build a wall and leave them to it.

[@Alfymale]

@@ThePhilipoconnor Yes, but that wall required the equivalent of two legions to (not entirely successfully) defend. Over the two hundred years + of occupation that would have stacked up in money and resources. My understanding is that the Roman Army would successfully beat the snot out of ‘us’ through the summer campaigning season and then go into winter camps. Apparently they thought ‘we’ were unsportsmanlike for attacking them during the winter months!

[@ThePhilipoconnor]

@@Alfymale if you’re not cheating you’re not trying!! Ha. Especially against a militarily superior enemy.

[@arthurp.8499]

I really enjoyed the spirit of everyone in this

[@samuelleask1132]

Great video guys, thank you for this!

[@HistoryHit]

Our pleasure!

[@kronckew]

Roman legionary with the red crest would be a junior officer, an Optio. As is the one with a white crest, Centurions wore their crests transversly. More junior soldiers did not wear crests. The Lorica would have been laced at the front with the plates overlapped, else some opponent could poke you thru the gap. It is also laced at the back, so if your armour no longer fit, you'd either get new armour that did, or ensure any gap was in the back. A Centurio with a belly like the prof's would have been quickly killed. p.s. - Decimation was VERY rare, only a hadfull occurred in the 750 odd years of the Empire. Punishments of a soldier for sleeping on watch, cowardice, and other capital crimes would be by the other 7 men in his conturburnium, who would beat him o death.

[@OfficalRichardd]

Thanks, really informative. It is so refreshing to see this type of history.

[@paulfelkner6749]

I don't disagree, very interesting, informative, funny and intellectual, you rarely get that in the states.

[@ETT329]

what a fun and informative video :) thank you!

[@jesterday2222]

hahaha I love that shot from 'Gladiator' at 2:52 Always wanted to visit Hadrians wall, do some hiking along side.

[@jillwanlin9558]

I’ve been to Hadrian’s Wall museum. It’s amazing and it’s really a beautiful area. Crazy but I was impressed with the remains of their toilets. 😂 The Romans were ahead of their times in many ways (engineering). Civilized and yet barbaric at the same time. Thanks again HH! Really enjoyed this!

[@ricoflamma5430]

the world before the middle ages was impressive. It’s when western society fell that everything else did too and was forgotten. We would possibly be 300-500 years ahead in technology had Rome not fell. Even Greek inventors were already developing combustion machines. The Dark ages changed everything.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

Did it have overly loud music like this video?

[@bEtHeSdA_LAME_sTuDi0s]

@@ricoflamma5430 plus all of the other worldwide civilizations like Egypt, and the entirety of Africa just about. Sumeria, Indus river valley. China for most of ever, even way late the Azteca had tenoxhtitlan which awed the dirty Europeans.

[@markcasila8310]

romans had bether toilet system 200 years ago then comunist/facist china has today 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@markcasila8310]

@@ricoflamma5430 thats what the religions of the boks did ....

[@kev3d]

A vanity project? That's the first I've ever heard of that hypothesis. Does it make sense to have a vanity project so far away from the most densely populated Romanized provinces like Italy itself, Alexandria, Greece and so on? I would think the idea would have as many eyeballs as possible looking at your wonderful works: Theaters, Aqueducts, Baths, Arenas, Temples and Statues etc., rather than an architecturally spartan structure at the edge of the Empire.

[@onii-chandaisuki5710]

I guess it could 'show off' just how rich and strong your Empire is by having a massive wall built at the frontiers. Rumours probably spread about the wall, even if most Romans couldn't see it.

[@Blisterdude123]

It depends who your audience was. Think in terms perhaps, not of trying to impress other Romans...but the denizens of a far flung and still wildly unsettled province in the fringe of the empire? Hadrian's Wall wasn't maybe up to much as an actual defensive structure, you couldn't literally man every foot of it. But as a visual demonstration of power, to a populace of Britons, Celts, Picts constantly on the verge of revolt? In theory it'd make quite the statement. To take their ancient and mystical landscape and build a thwacking great wall across all those hills and rivers and fields, across the entire island.

[@lochside7647]

@@Blisterdude123 Agree..this is a recent meme created by English Historians to denigrate Scotland's history. There were no anglo saxons in the 'British' iles, only celtic tribes. Unfortunately for touchy English academics the inhabitants of most of England were subjugated by the romans, Th ones in the North i.e., Scotland were not .

[@halecesar1461]

2:54 I’m loving that Gladiator reference 🤣🥺

[@NL-Chaos]

That was nice to watch thanks

[@Dannyboyefc]

The auxiliary looks like the standard legionnaire during the time of Hannibal, Spartacus, Caesar, cleopatra. So definitely wasn’t poor equipment

[@magnem1043]

probably sent their least useful auxiliary units, just manpower to man a wasteland

[@ComradeHellfire]

Not during Hannibal and Spartacus. If this were true, he would be wearing a Montefortino, or an Apulo-Corinthian helmet with a more curved scutum rather than a Clipeus. If an Hastatii, a single bronze or copper sheet for protection or a Lorica Hamata if Principes or Triarii, which is the only similarity. If its post marian reforms, they would have a scutum rather than a clipeus. The Galea is acceptable because it would have been around during the time, but the coolus helmet would have been more common

[@jonc2914]

No, he definitely does NOT look like any legionary from the periods you claim.....

[@rednek666]

I remember seeing Roman walls from different ages during my trip to Rome, still impressive and kept in a good shape. Lifetime memories

[@lindaolsen7828]

Fascinating, not only for the history, but also the countryside.

[@chicinthewoods]

Love this episode!

[@thomash6933]

Love the Gladiator reference at 3:00 if that was on purpose 😉

[@nighthunter3039]

Also the Asterix and Obelix one at 11:10 - 10:22 with the train. 😁

[@stewartmackay]

I couldn't be a Roman soldier, but I could be a Celt, which is what I am. We'd sneak up in the middle of the night & unleash the porridge catapults, haggis shells and finally, if they refused to give up, we'd play the bagpipes. That usually got rid of most of 'um. Aye, the good old days.

[@bryanmatos3994]

you forget most Celts became Romanized and were Roman citizens in the army stationed at Hadrians wall. Roman citizenship became universal throughout the empire where you had German Romans and Greek Romans serving at Hadrians wall even middle Eastern soldiers.

[@camulodunon]

@@bryanmatos3994 Ireland, Scotland and western England + Wales were never truly romanized.

[@gavank4525]

@@camulodunon lmao what religion do they follow what alphabet are they based off also britons were romanized Which were celts along with the Gauls

[@camulodunon]

@@gavank4525 both the religion and alphabet parts are general things that happened to all of Europe, not things that have to due with direct Roman influence. And also it was only southwestern Britain that was really Romanized. The east and north of Britain remained highly traditionally Celtic, keeping their old language and way of life, hence why the Welsh language still exists today, because it wasn't replaced by latin.

[@gavank4525]

@@camulodunon Um I’m quite perplexed from the lack of knowledge in you comment the alphabet of most modern alphabets especially in Europe are based of the Latin alphabet and while many celts did survive in the west and north of britannia that was mostly the country side and not the main city centers these celts were highly romanized anyway if you too a celt from let’s say the 3rd century they would be very different from a Celt from 1st century

[@rvmu]

Great content! Cheers!

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks for the support!

[@vernonbrana8205]

Love these vids. Educational and entertaining. Haha.

[@malcolmneate5852]

The train scene was brilliant

[@kwitshadie6539]

Makes me proud to be Ydna R-U152-Z56 from Lancashire. These Auxiliary men were pretty badass warriors. ;)

[@richardbuttner1989]

Great entertaining video! Even though some of the information provided about the weapons and armour is clearly not correct, as other commentators also pointed out. But nevertheless a lot of good information and videography!

[@blaznskais2048]

Knowing that I start to really feel the weight of my plate carrier, and my Kevlar helmet starts to really dig into my head on a long convoy. I can’t imagine the wear and tear 25 yrs of wearing Roman kit would do to those soldiers. The level of fitness they must have had is envious. 😅 and my gear for convoy maybe weights 30-35lbs max.

[@JayzsMr]

Actually full combat loadouts of modern militaries weren't that different weight wise compared to what the Romans had to carry . There is just a certain physical limit of what a human can carry over long distance which hasn't changed till today .

[@blaznskais2048]

@@JayzsMr well seeing as my loadout for a convoy is a 20-25lb Kevlar, plate carrier and a 3ish lb ACH. And sitting in a vehicle that normally has some degree of AC/heat vs an average 15-30mile daily foot march. I’m still impressed by the Roman army and their overall level of fitness.

[@JayzsMr]

@@blaznskais2048 yes but if you have to go for long marches with the full gear which includes everything then the weight is kind of similar. At least I had to do that when I was in the military in Europe. We regularly had to do long marches with full loadout and all the gear like cooking equipment, camouflage ect . It's not like the Romans went into battle or on patrol with everything they need to survive all the time

[@liorfanous9210]

This was really interesting, loved every minute of it.

[@Svensk7119]

Sin = left, dex=right! THAT'S where heraldry gets the terms dexter and sinister! I love it when I make an etymological discover!

[@andrewlowder7739]

Great channel!

[@joesanchez979]

Great video 👍

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

I live on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, it runs across our back garden. It's -10c here today.. October and November saw torrential rain for days at a time.. freezing cold British rain. It must have been pretty grim being stationed here especially as recent research indicates that the natives weren't as peaceful as previously thought. When I read archaeology in the early 90s the theory was that the wall was essentially a very big tax barrier.. but you don't build a massive wall to collect money from the northern wastes.. you build it to control the flow of people. The wall bisected the Brigantes who.were not known for their cooperation with the invaders. Indeed the archaeology now tells is that the wall was breached on several occasions... It must have been bloody awful!

[@poppyneese1811]

I’m wondering if my Scotch kin would have gotten down to wall? That tiny island has just the greatest history, Loved this video❤️❤️❤️

[@AMAN-gp7zg]

Enjoyed it 🇲🇾 keep it up

[@SnackPack913]

This channel is like the “weird history” channel but for adults or people with more than two brain cells to rub together lol. Well done!

[@kenc9236]

I like the "Gladiator" wheat field walk.

[@survivehistory]

Amazing!

[@reichhb]

The homage to gladiator was really cool, where he touched the grass at the beginning!

[@vgrg7841]

Wow. Being a Roman Legionaire was a tough life. These guys must have been very tough and very well disciplined. Well, they had to be in order to survive. Very interesting video.

[@Blisterdude123]

It's interesting to note that going back pre-Caesar, to the establishment of what 'we' think of as the Roman Army, during the Marian Reforms, the soldiers were referred to as 'Marius' Mules'.

[@terrybriggs6016]

Great vid ma maan

[@adamg393]

Excellent quality video guys

[@HistoryHit]

Glad you enjoyed it Adam!

[@luminousfractal420]

18:35 for the alan partridge moment 🤣🤣🤣 im rockin

[@allenjenkins7947]

I don't see why I wouldn't have survived. After all, I survived 6 years of primary school north of the Wall in the 1950s.

[@MsSteelphoenix]

Very cool! I've done Roman reenactment and that lorica is no joke just to wear for a day - great job by the guys to do a march in it!

[@jonc2914]

Thats because they are wearing garbage cheap Indian ebay stuff. Guy can't even put his gut in it.😊

[@johnwhitworth679]

Fabulous stuff ⚔️👍

[@HistoryHit]

Thanks 👍

[@multifariousgemini]

11:11 Hilarious! 😆 Especially when he turned with that wooden weapon 😂

[@albaniod]

As much as I love re enactments of the testudo imagine doing it under sling or arrow fire

[@smguk2412]

Those Picts were crazy

[@gerhardswihla1099]

Now it would be interesting what the differences between the Hadrians wall and the Limes had been besides the geographic location.

[@lionljb]

20:15 would sure love to know where this paiting is from as it seems to be a roman force attacking a medieval european castle with 13th-15th century Machicolations, a soldier wearing a 16th century Morion helmet (maybe it can pass as a kettle hat), but another wearing what seems to be roman/greek pteryges at the shoulders

[@joik2ww269]

That weight is not too different from regular conscript in Finland. Fieldkit is around 40kg and expected to be able march 25-30km/day.

[@colinbrigham8253]

Thank you 😊

[@robkelly5722]

As a Scot I have to say I fancy my chances against you lads! 😉 Well done, very interesting episode.

[@kurtbogle2973]

I am Northern Scottish. I couldn't survive being a Roman soldier on Hadrian's Wall. My relatives would kill me.

[@Kathlanus]

Once got a chance to try on one of those chain link shirts and - oh boy. They already weigh you down quite well when sitting down. How hard must it be to walk 20 miles in them.

[@v2rabbit583]

That train going by made me howl hahaha love these guys.

[@murkyseb]

That was really interesting

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

The wall ends at you guessed it Wallsend not the North Sea. As the coast itself provided defense but the fort at South Shields was the main harbour before being shipped across the Tyne by Persian Bargemen

[@atexandude8303]

7:10 is a myth and has been disproven. The gladius, along with many straight swords and other weapons don’t just, get stuck upon a thrust, they do come back out with a tug. You can try this yourself if you have a double sided straight blade of really any type. Go to a butcher, buy a pig carcass or even just a big slab of meat, thrust it, or hammer it down, it will come right back out. The twisting likely did happen both on purpose and just accidentally but it wasn’t a “you have to twist and pull” kinda thing. They also, more than likely, didn’t do the “left right left” deal. As a veteran, I’d love to think people back then did but it’s highly unlikely. A drum, pipe, whistle or flute would’ve done all that. It’s nitpicking but if you’re going to have that sort of title, you should care about that sort of thing.

[@michaelwilkinson2928]

The Optio needed a larger set of armour. As a Centurion he would wear Lorica Hamata, which would allow the greater girth, and would have the Crestus Transversus on his helmet. I'm not sure that Legionaires would routinely wear crests on their helmet, and the Auxillary would most likely have a Coolus helmet.

[@Pete_Finch]

This is such a fun history "lesson." HIstoryHit has been doing a great job of bringing history to a new generation with super interesting videos like this

[@bec9696]

And here I was thinking History Hit was the adults version of Horrible Histories

[@Pete_Finch]

@@bec9696 and there you were indeed

[@alessandromazzini7026]

"form Testudo!" And with this line i understood It isn't a documentary but a Hollywood feast

[@Daz1]

Thanks 😂 , this gave me a laugh. My favourite bit was the centurion knocking you with that stick

[@cg2bx264]

I really want to walk the length of hadrians wall, but make a challenge of it and do it in 3 days! Planning the logistics of it are proving to be the hardest part!!!!!!!

[@HistoryHit]

Good luck!