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!
:european_castle: Discover the past on History Hit, with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly and presented by world-renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Matt Lewis and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code 'ODYSSEY': historyhit.com/subscription
Follow us on Facebook: / odysseyancienthistory
Odyssey is part of the History Hit Network. For any queries, please contact [e-mail]

[@normanmfakierjr2387]

To build the first 50 meters today would take 200+ years of permitting, reviews, meetings, environmental reviews..............................what has happened to us?

[@johnnyseagull29]

You forgot heath 'n' safety. Working at hight regs.

[@chrisgrill6302]

Far better to rush in on the command of a despot without a second or even a first thought and without regard to the consequences I guess... We've learned, that's what has happened to us.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

We've gone backwards

[@MythicTales993]

A captivating exploration of Hadrian's Wall, a monumental feat of ancient engineering and a symbol of Rome's reach into the northern frontier. This video offers a fascinating glimpse into the strategic significance of the wall and its impact on the region's history. It's a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of the Roman Empire, as well as the enduring legacy of their frontier defenses. A must-watch for history enthusiasts

[@johnslaughter5475]

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.

[@set1896]

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

[@markmuller7962]

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

[@nancytestani1470]

Ha,lol

[@JuliusCaesar888]

Crikey.

[@Lynn19191]

I would guess it's the phallus on Barcombe Hill.

[@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.

[@garryrobson8058]

Two points, Hadrian's Wall was built partially in turf as it went further West and it was built in 122 AD, thirty nine years after the Limes in Germania.

[@nicknorris100]

They keep putting out Handrians wall videos and I love it

[@GlasgowCeltic88]

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

[@thomasw.glasgow7449]

yeah what a carry on that was , aye ! 😎

[@fspg3207]

Sillyus sodus...

[@TheArtist8077]

I live just North of the wall and spent many nights sleeping in the forts in Roman kit as a re enactor.

[@thomasnelson7869]

As an American in the south I to have reenacted sleeping on many civil war battlefields. I can very much relate. However forts that old must have been an amazing experience.

[@TheArtist8077]

@@thomasnelson7869 It was and still is, now summer is here i go sit by the wall as it is still light and warm in late evening and the people have all gone home, a great place to sit think and relax, a place that hasn't really changed.

[@thomasnelson7869]

@@TheArtist8077simply amazing

[@HAMMER_2.2]

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.

[@markmuller7962]

I pictured in my mind the poor shepard trying to convince the guards to let his flock pass through lol (screaming up and the guards screaming down 😅)

[@ThatLadyBird]

Rip robin hood tree 🙏

[@markmuller7962]

I still in disbelief they did that

[@TamaraJohnBlue]

Did they find out who did it?

[@patrickgrounds2157]

​@@TamaraJohnBlue2 men are in court at the moment.

[@alanwilkinson9487]

Should go to jail, for a long time........ Bet they dont

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

​@@TamaraJohnBlueSome 16yo & older man

[@koomaj]

This is great episode. Dan is a good presenter.

[@nancytestani1470]

Yes, he is ..wonderful. Great voice for narration.

[@Lebeauski]

Never stop learning.🤙

[@nancytestani1470]

Absolutely, don’t stop

[@JA51711]

Great video about history and the wall. Awesome

[@annwilliams6438]

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.)

[@jussikankinen9409]

And christianity was forced farming religion, cut all trees

[@RichMitch]

I live here!

[@TravisBrady-wn8fr]

You live in a beautiful place. Congrats

[@HAMMER_2.2]

That's awesome!

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Sorry to hear that..

[@cherietillapaughhott1012]

Roman Bath House = American Pizza. Got it.

[@bobbydazzler3067]

I really enjoyed this. thanks to the whole team

[@GermanGreetings]

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

[@mccallosone4903]

good video thanks

[@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...

[@steveSestric]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKvFamuqhtVoaas

[@steveSestric]

i use tabo , in philipines they still use the hand and water clean method.

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

Good job

[@nancytestani1470]

Amazing, so cool. So, how tall was 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.

[@blaircalvin5025]

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

[@Matteobaria75]

Tanks from Italy . Amazing episode.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Why we're so many ROMAN SOLDIERS GAY???

[@aspenrebel]

I've been there.

[@martincunningham2562]

Did he say, "crikey"!

[@kenfox22]

Roman soldiers probably thought I didn't sign up for this. Where did they get so much stones from?

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Obviously from the Roman stone gods..

[@pingupenguin2474]

There was a wall in Scotland too, the Antonine wall, which also has only earthworks left.

[@ysa4473]

만리장성 같다. ㅎㅎ 1882 출간된 Asiatic History 와 한국역사 싸이트 동북아넷에 의하면 로마는 진나라로 로마제국이 China. China는 진나라에서 유래되었기 때문 진나라가 세운 성이 만리장성인데 로마제국이 진나라이니 만리장성은 로마제국이 세운 셈. 그리고 Hadrian's Wall을 보니 시기는 좀 다르지만 로마제국 즉 차이나가 세운 만리장성을 연상케 하네 ㅎㅎ

[@markmuller7962]

Let's play StarCraft :D

[@ernshaw78]

I find it hard to say reconstructed at Arbeia when the full fort isn't reconstructed and we don't have a physical scale to connect to.

[@OrlandoMarcunoCarballo]

I just try to improve my English ,I need ,but it's interesting too ,thanks 😂

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Another Hadrian wall video 🙄 whats that now the 37th video

[@Lebeauski]

Bet, all those Calvary men, broke their own horses

[@VincentCiccone]

Kept the legion busy unlike youth of this age lazy

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Exactly

[@Ambassador_Gkar]

Interesting co-incidence, of timing, between the fall of the Roman Empire, in this part of the Empire, and the conversion from pagan religion, to Christianity. Is it purely co-incidence?

[@lawnmower4884]

What if the wall was to keep people in, and not to reinforce the fighting numbers of the Picts?

[@WihauWikeepa-gs9so]

8:20 thats no good luck charm mate that’s a dick 😂 cools story tho.

[@JEM1989]

The solider and the former slave at Arbeia, lets just get real, they were partners.

[@barrychandler5250]

Admit it , They feared our people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MSJMSJ1900]

This was interesting. I don't know why the carved pen** on the wall can't just be grafitti. Why does it have to be a symbol of magic? Why couldn't a few soldiers who regularly spent time at that spot have gotten bored and thought carving that was amusing? Ppl do it all the time. Why shouldn't they?

[@elijahhodges4405]

I do not believe in Saxons as a large group in England. I even think the name England is incorrect. Britain however is probably exactly the correct name.

[@robertdiehl1281]

No wonder most people are right handed.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

In ENGLAND being left-handed wasn't a good thing and there was many superstitions like the devil had control over you or you we're in league with the Devil.And the teachers would virtually torture you to become right handed by whacking you with there wooden ruler every time you tried to write left-handed.And as per usual we can blame the crazy religious nutjobs for it and i think that came down from the POPE himself..

[@alba..8479]

Built to keep out the legendary Scottish warriors, the Picts, ifentifiable by the distinctive blue body art and ferocity in combat

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

I doubt the wall was built to keep the savages out..

[@noahway13]

Why is the tour guide an American with a lip full of tobacco chaw? ( I am American )

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Because he's probably a roman professor from the nearest UNIVERSITY

[@clivebaxter6354]

Over use of music as usual

[@Iceman8723]

Dan your audio is so bad around the 15:00 min mark...

[@Lastbus511]

Probably every street sign in the Roman empire had a male organ depiction and made into things like bronze door knockers and oil lamps and the like. I guess times change, probably due to Christianity which viewed such things as rude pagan insults to whatever.

[@gregedmand9939]

Just think how far we've come in 2000 years. From wiping your backside by hand - to pinecone and sponges on twigs - to toilet paper - to bidets. Ain't civilization grand?

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Some people still wipe there ass by ✋

[@SurajSingh-ly6bt]

:-You know celts? :- Just know barbarians

[@philip2010]

The wall wasn't even tall it couldn't keep anyone out

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Exactly that's why I always say it couldn't of been built to keep the savages out but on some parts of the wall it is built over long drops

[@elijahhodges4405]

Oh those nasty little barbarians wearing their kilts and fighting like demons.

[@johnnyseagull29]

Do you mean north of the Antonine wall?

[@pingupenguin2474]

Both ! The Romans only stayed about 8 yrs after Antonine wall was completed. Local joke is that the Romans sold their swords at the barras !!!!! ( for those not from central Scotland, that's a local market in Glasgow, just a few miles south of the wall)

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Don't ask him questions like that he's absolutely clueless that's why he didn't reply and tried to look intelligent​@@johnnyseagull29

[@edwardwinder7877]

Hardrains wall was built to keep roman Britain from the northern tribes in the north which we call Scotland now how do you no they were barbarians

[@johnnyseagull29]

I belive you are thinking of the Antonine wall.

[@edwardwinder7877]

@@johnnyseagull29 antonnie was built by him when he reach the north by his builders then abandoned back to hardrains wall the Romans with all they mighty power could not conquer the northern half of Britain

[@johnnyseagull29]

@@edwardwinder7877 yes, I know.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

How did you work that one out?? Very clever i doubt anybody knew that..

[@Michael-fl1tm]

Wall the Brits didn't do a very good job of preserving it over the years and cannot even protect a tree.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Who cares it's a symbol of roman oppression I'd destroy it and do you want a security detail on a single tree 24/7 ?? Not the brightest are you?? Are you a yank by any chance

[@veritas41photo]

I cannot stand Dan Snow. He is the ultimate talking head who must read from a script, because he knows nothing about actual history.

[@annwilliams6438]

That’s rather nasty… how about keeping unexplained emotions to yourself?

[@miarrem]

Get some sleep...yeesh

[@nancytestani1470]

Seriously…good grief. Are you based in facts.

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

So are you a one of the best historians in the world then because you must be to say something like that.But i reckon DAN SNOW as forgotten more about history than you know so why did you watch this video if you hate him so much?? 🙄

[@rick5793]

Didn't China do this first??

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

Who's talking about CHINA??😊