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The Design of the Antonine Wall

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 May 2020

W.S. Hanson
W.S. Hanson*
Affiliation:
Archaeology, School of Humanities, University of Glasgowwilliam.hanson@glasgow.ac.uk
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Abstract

This paper assesses the alternative models currently proposed for the original design of the Antonine Wall. It argues that there is sufficient evidence of a pattern in the structural relationships between the Wall and its various garrison posts to confirm that there was a major change of plan during the construction process. This resulted in the addition of a series of secondary forts, several of which can now be shown to have replaced primary fortlets, and a concomitant delay in the construction programme. An explanation is offered for this rapid change of design, which resulted in one of the most intensively garrisoned linear frontiers in the Roman Empire.

Keywords

Antonine WallRoman frontier designprimary and secondary fortsspacing of fortsfortlets
Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 51 , November 2020 , pp. 203 - 223
Copyright
Copyright © The Author, 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

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