Antonine Wall

• The Antonine Wall is a Roman Defensive Wall in Scotland that was built of stone and turf between 138-142 CE.
• It runs from coast to coast between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Location

• The wall is a 39 mile (62km) long Turf and Stone barrier with Forts, connecting Old Kilkpatrick on the Firth of Forth with Carriden near Bo’ness on the Firth of Clyde.
• It is 100 miles (160km) north of Hadrian's Wall.

Construction

• It was probably first constructed in the 70’s CE, then reinforced by Agricola after withdrawing from Caledonia in 83 CE.
• In 138 CE, construction of the Turf and Stone Wall was ordered by the Emperor Antoninus Pius, with the Wall being named after him.

The Legions involved (138-142 CE)

• Between 139-142 CE, the Wall was built and occupied by all three Legions in Britain, the Legio II Augusta, the Legio VI Victrix and the Legio XX Valeria Victrix.
• There was also a Vexillatio of the Legio I Italica.

Structure

• The Turf and Stone wall was 10 feet (3m) high and 15 feet (4.5m) wide and 39 miles (62km) long,
• There was a deep ditch to the north.
• Along the Wall were 16 Forts, with fortlets between them, and a Military Way to the south.
• There were additional coastal forts in the east at Inveresk and Outerwards and Lurg Moor in the west.

Occupation (142-155 CE)

• Between 142-c.155 CE, Vexillations of all three Legions in Britannia occupied the Wall, supplemented by some Auxiliary Cohorts:
  • The Legio II Augusta, the Legio VI Victrix and the Legio XX Valeria Victrix. And there was also a Vexillatio of the Legio XXII Primigenia.
• A Vexillatio consisted of 1,000 men or 2 Cohorts, so approximately 4-5,000 men occupied the Antonine Wall.
• This was different to Hadrian's Wall which was occupied by Auxiliaries and not Legionaries.

Withdrawal

• Between c.155-162 CE, the Wall was overrun.
• In 162 CE, Marcus Aurelius withdrew the Legionary Vexillations and abandoned the Wall.
• The Frontier then reverted again to Hadrian's Wall, manned by Roman Auxiliaries as before.

Septimius Severus' Caledonian Campaign (208-211 CE)

• In 197 CE, a series of attacks forced the Romans to return.
• Between 208-211 CE, the Forts to the east of the Wall were rebuilt, this included Cramond, Trimontium to the south, along with Carpow and Inchtuthil Legionary Fortress on the river Tay to the North.
• They were then reoccupied as bases to garrison the 40,000 soldiers sent to conquer Caledonia.
• However, in 211 CE, Septimius Severus died at York and the Wall was abandoned.
• After 211 CE, the Romans never reoccupied the Antonine Wall again.

Roman Roads

• Dere Street
  • This was the eastern road between Corbridge and Edinburgh, which ended at Inveresk (Veluniate) on the Antonine Wall.
• A ‘Military Way’
  • This linked all the Forts behind the Antonine Wall. It was similar to the Military Way behind Hadrian’s Wall,
• A Roman Road
  • This was the western road between Carlisle and the Antonine Wall.

List of Forts along the Antonine Wall

(From West to East)

1. Bishopton
2. Old Kilpatrick
3. Duntocher
4. Cleddans
5. Castlehill
6. Bearsden
7. Summerston
8. Balmuidy
9. Wilderness Plantation
10. Cadder
11. Glasgow Bridge
12. Kirkintilloch
13. Auchendavey
14. Bar Hill
15. Croy Hill
16. Westerwood
17. Castlecary
18. Seabegg
19. Rough Castle
20. Camelon
21. Watling Lodge
22. Falkirk
23. Mumrills
24. Inveravon
25. Kinneil
26. Carriden

Other Forts

• Cramond and Inveresk are Roman Forts lying to the east of the Wall.

Museums

• Hunterian Museum Glasgow
  • Location: University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland.
  • The Hunterian holds a Gallery dedicated to the history of the Antonine Wall and the Artefacts found there.

Bar Hill Roman Fort, Antonine Wall