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.
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Пікірлер: 119

  • @normanmfakierjr2387
    @normanmfakierjr238718 күн бұрын

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

  • @johnnyseagull29

    @johnnyseagull29

    14 күн бұрын

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

  • @chrisgrill6302

    @chrisgrill6302

    10 күн бұрын

    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

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    2 күн бұрын

    We've gone backwards

  • @johnslaughter5475
    @johnslaughter547513 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @MythicTales993
    @MythicTales99324 күн бұрын

    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

  • @Foundry_made
    @Foundry_made22 күн бұрын

    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

    @garryrobson8058

    10 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @set1896
    @set189618 күн бұрын

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

  • @markmuller7962
    @markmuller796223 күн бұрын

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

  • @nancytestani1470

    @nancytestani1470

    22 күн бұрын

    Ha,lol

  • @JuliusCaesar888

    @JuliusCaesar888

    21 күн бұрын

    Crikey.

  • @Lynn19191

    @Lynn19191

    20 күн бұрын

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

  • @nicknorris100
    @nicknorris10021 күн бұрын

    They keep putting out Handrians wall videos and I love it

  • @GlasgowCeltic88
    @GlasgowCeltic8824 күн бұрын

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

  • @thomasw.glasgow7449

    @thomasw.glasgow7449

    13 күн бұрын

    yeah what a carry on that was , aye ! 😎

  • @fspg3207

    @fspg3207

    12 күн бұрын

    Sillyus sodus...

  • @TheArtist8077
    @TheArtist807721 күн бұрын

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

  • @thomasnelson7869

    @thomasnelson7869

    16 күн бұрын

    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

    @TheArtist8077

    15 күн бұрын

    @@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

    @thomasnelson7869

    15 күн бұрын

    @@TheArtist8077simply amazing

  • @HAMMER_2.2
    @HAMMER_2.224 күн бұрын

    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

    @markmuller7962

    23 күн бұрын

    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
    @ThatLadyBird24 күн бұрын

    Rip robin hood tree 🙏

  • @markmuller7962

    @markmuller7962

    23 күн бұрын

    I still in disbelief they did that

  • @TamaraJohnBlue

    @TamaraJohnBlue

    19 күн бұрын

    Did they find out who did it?

  • @patrickgrounds2157

    @patrickgrounds2157

    18 күн бұрын

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

  • @alanwilkinson9487

    @alanwilkinson9487

    8 күн бұрын

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

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    2 күн бұрын

    ​@@TamaraJohnBlueSome 16yo & older man

  • @Lebeauski
    @Lebeauski22 күн бұрын

    Never stop learning.🤙

  • @nancytestani1470

    @nancytestani1470

    22 күн бұрын

    Absolutely, don’t stop

  • @JA51711
    @JA5171124 күн бұрын

    Great video about history and the wall. Awesome

  • @annwilliams6438
    @annwilliams643823 күн бұрын

    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

    @jussikankinen9409

    16 күн бұрын

    And christianity was forced farming religion, cut all trees

  • @koomaj
    @koomaj24 күн бұрын

    This is great episode. Dan is a good presenter.

  • @nancytestani1470

    @nancytestani1470

    22 күн бұрын

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

  • @cherietillapaughhott1012
    @cherietillapaughhott101224 күн бұрын

    Roman Bath House = American Pizza. Got it.

  • @RichMitch
    @RichMitch24 күн бұрын

    I live here!

  • @TravisBrady-wn8fr

    @TravisBrady-wn8fr

    24 күн бұрын

    You live in a beautiful place. Congrats

  • @HAMMER_2.2

    @HAMMER_2.2

    24 күн бұрын

    That's awesome!

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    2 күн бұрын

    Sorry to hear that..

  • @bobbydazzler3067
    @bobbydazzler306718 күн бұрын

    I really enjoyed this. thanks to the whole team

  • @mccallosone4903
    @mccallosone490323 күн бұрын

    good video thanks

  • @GermanGreetings
    @GermanGreetings19 күн бұрын

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

  • @steveSestric
    @steveSestric24 күн бұрын

    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

    @steveSestric

    15 күн бұрын

    kzread.info/dash/bejne/iK6Wm5qtgdObY6w.html

  • @steveSestric

    @steveSestric

    15 күн бұрын

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

  • @golgumbazguide...4113
    @golgumbazguide...411315 күн бұрын

    Good job

  • @blaircalvin5025
    @blaircalvin502512 күн бұрын

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

  • @nancytestani1470
    @nancytestani147022 күн бұрын

    Amazing, so cool. So, how tall was it?

  • @KernowekTim
    @KernowekTim23 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @kenfox22
    @kenfox226 күн бұрын

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

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    2 күн бұрын

    Obviously from the Roman stone gods..

  • @ernshaw78
    @ernshaw7819 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @aspenrebel
    @aspenrebel18 күн бұрын

    I've been there.

  • @Matteobaria75
    @Matteobaria7523 күн бұрын

    Tanks from Italy . Amazing episode.

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    2 күн бұрын

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

  • @pingupenguin2474
    @pingupenguin247412 күн бұрын

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

  • @ysa4473
    @ysa447324 күн бұрын

    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

    @markmuller7962

    23 күн бұрын

    Let's play StarCraft :D

  • @martincunningham2562
    @martincunningham256216 күн бұрын

    Did he say, "crikey"!

  • @VincentCiccone
    @VincentCiccone11 күн бұрын

    Kept the legion busy unlike youth of this age lazy

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    2 күн бұрын

    Exactly

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR
    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR19 күн бұрын

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

  • @barrychandler5250
    @barrychandler525012 күн бұрын

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

  • @OrlandoMarcunoCarballo
    @OrlandoMarcunoCarballo18 күн бұрын

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

  • @Lebeauski
    @Lebeauski22 күн бұрын

    Bet, all those Calvary men, broke their own horses

  • @JEM1989
    @JEM19899 күн бұрын

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

  • @lawnmower4884
    @lawnmower488421 күн бұрын

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

  • @Ambassador_Gkar
    @Ambassador_Gkar22 күн бұрын

    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?

  • @MSJMSJ1900
    @MSJMSJ190017 күн бұрын

    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?

  • @robertdiehl1281
    @robertdiehl128110 күн бұрын

    No wonder most people are right handed.

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    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..

  • @clivebaxter6354
    @clivebaxter635415 күн бұрын

    Over use of music as usual

  • @elijahhodges4405
    @elijahhodges440516 күн бұрын

    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.

  • @noahway13
    @noahway1322 күн бұрын

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

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

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

  • @WihauWikeepa-gs9so
    @WihauWikeepa-gs9so17 күн бұрын

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

  • @Iceman8723
    @Iceman872321 күн бұрын

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

  • @SurajSingh-ly6bt
    @SurajSingh-ly6bt14 күн бұрын

    :-You know celts? :- Just know barbarians

  • @Lastbus511
    @Lastbus51118 күн бұрын

    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
    @gregedmand993916 күн бұрын

    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

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    Some people still wipe there ass by ✋

  • @alba..8479
    @alba..847914 күн бұрын

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

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

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

  • @elijahhodges4405
    @elijahhodges440516 күн бұрын

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

  • @johnnyseagull29

    @johnnyseagull29

    14 күн бұрын

    Do you mean north of the Antonine wall?

  • @pingupenguin2474

    @pingupenguin2474

    12 күн бұрын

    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

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    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
    @edwardwinder787715 күн бұрын

    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

    @johnnyseagull29

    14 күн бұрын

    I belive you are thinking of the Antonine wall.

  • @edwardwinder7877

    @edwardwinder7877

    14 күн бұрын

    @@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

    @johnnyseagull29

    13 күн бұрын

    @@edwardwinder7877 yes, I know.

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

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

  • @philip2010
    @philip201016 күн бұрын

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

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    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

  • @Michael-fl1tm
    @Michael-fl1tm14 күн бұрын

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

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    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
    @veritas41photo24 күн бұрын

    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

    @annwilliams6438

    23 күн бұрын

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

  • @miarrem

    @miarrem

    23 күн бұрын

    Get some sleep...yeesh

  • @nancytestani1470

    @nancytestani1470

    22 күн бұрын

    Seriously…good grief. Are you based in facts.

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    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
    @rick579323 күн бұрын

    Didn't China do this first??

  • @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    @SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR

    Күн бұрын

    Who's talking about CHINA??😊

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