David Breeze Reflects on 50 Years of Hadrian's Wall Scholarship
On a recent episode of TheCollector's podcast, Dr. David Breeze, an archaeologist, discussed his five decades of research on Hadrian's Wall and Roman borders. He explained that Emperor Hadrian, recognizing the heavy toll of war and the limits of his army, decided to create boundaries instead of expanding further. The Wall's construction began in AD 122 after Hadrian's trip to Britain, stretching 80 Roman miles (73 miles or 117 kilometers) from the River Tyne to the Solway Firth. Breeze highlighted that the Wall was part of a complex frontier system, featuring forts, milecastles, watchtowers, and roads for managing movement. He emphasized that these frontiers were vibrant cultural hubs rather than simple barriers, revealing a world rich in trade and interaction.
Key facts
- Dr. David Breeze has studied Hadrian's Wall for 50 years.
- Construction of Hadrian's Wall began in AD 122 after Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain.
- The Wall stretches 80 Roman miles (73 miles or 117 kilometers) from the River Tyne to the Solway Firth.
- Hadrian decided to define the limits of the empire due to the death toll of warfare and manpower shortages.
- The Wall was part of a larger frontier network of forts, milecastles, watchtowers, roads, and controlled crossings.
- Roman frontiers were active spaces where people, goods, and ideas moved between communities.
- Soldiers stationed along the Wall lived in communities with homes, workshops, religious spaces, and families.
- Breeze's research challenges traditional portrayals of the 'Barbarians' beyond the frontier.
Entities
Artists
- David Breeze
Institutions
- TheCollector
Locations
- Britain
- River Tyne
- Solway Firth