Military Way (Hadrian's Wall)
Encyclopedia
The Military Way is a modern name given to the Roman road
constructed immediately to the south of Hadrian's Wall
. It should not be confused with the nearby Military Road.
suggests that it was not included in the original plan, and therefore it is likely to have been constructed soon after the reoccupation of Hadrian's Wall following the abandonment of the Antonine Wall in 162AD.
of up to 46 centimetres (18.1 in). John Collingwood Bruce suggested that it was not intended for use by wheeled vehicles, and this is backed up by a survey of wall miles 40/41, where severe gradients up to 25% (33% in short stretches) were recorded.
Spurs have been identified linking the Military Way to some milecastles, for example Milecastle 9
.
Some milestone
s have been found along the road (taking columnar form). These indicate that in the 3rd Century, distances were numbered westwards from Dere Street
.
in many places, and elsewhere runs between the Vallum and the curtain wall.
At the river crossings at Chesters Bridge
and Willowford Bridge, the bridges were widened in the early 3rd century to take the road, as opposed to the walkway as was previously the case.
) to Walltown Quarry.
Roman road
The Roman roads were a vital part of the development of the Roman state, from about 500 BC through the expansion during the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. Roman roads enabled the Romans to move armies and trade goods and to communicate. The Roman road system spanned more than 400,000 km...
constructed immediately to the south of Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall was a defensive fortification in Roman Britain. Begun in AD 122, during the rule of emperor Hadrian, it was the first of two fortifications built across Great Britain, the second being the Antonine Wall, lesser known of the two because its physical remains are less evident today.The...
. It should not be confused with the nearby Military Road.
Establishment
Evidence has shown that the road was constructed before abandonment of the turrets in the second century (linking roads between the Military Way and some turrets have been identified). The existence of the StanegateStanegate
The Stanegate, or "stone road" , was an important Roman road built in what is now northern England. It linked two forts that guarded important river crossings; Corstopitum in the east, situated on Dere Street, and Luguvalium in the west...
suggests that it was not included in the original plan, and therefore it is likely to have been constructed soon after the reoccupation of Hadrian's Wall following the abandonment of the Antonine Wall in 162AD.
Characteristics
As with most Roman roads, the Military Way was constructed from large stones, and surfaced with gravel. It was usually around 6 metres (19.7 ft) wide with a camberCant (road/rail)
The cant of a railway track or a road is the difference in elevation between the two edges...
of up to 46 centimetres (18.1 in). John Collingwood Bruce suggested that it was not intended for use by wheeled vehicles, and this is backed up by a survey of wall miles 40/41, where severe gradients up to 25% (33% in short stretches) were recorded.
Spurs have been identified linking the Military Way to some milecastles, for example Milecastle 9
Milecastle 9
Milecastle 9 was a milecastle of the Roman Hadrian's Wall. Its remains exist partially as a low platform, and are located in West Denton , from Chapel House Farm. However, the northern part of the remains are now mostly covered by the modern roads...
.
Some milestone
Milestone
A milestone is one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road or boundary at intervals of one mile or occasionally, parts of a mile. They are typically located at the side of the road or in a median. They are alternatively known as mile markers, mileposts or mile posts...
s have been found along the road (taking columnar form). These indicate that in the 3rd Century, distances were numbered westwards from Dere Street
Dere Street
Dere Street or Deere Street, was a Roman road between Eboracum and Veluniate, in what is now Scotland. It still exists in the form of the route of many major roads, including the A1 and A68 just north of Corbridge.Its name corresponds with the post Roman Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Deira, through...
.
Course
The Military Way runs along the top of the north mound of the VallumVallum
Vallum is a term applied either to the whole or a portion of the fortifications of a Roman camp. The vallum usually comprised an earthen or turf rampart with a wooden palisade on top, with a deep outer ditch...
in many places, and elsewhere runs between the Vallum and the curtain wall.
At the river crossings at Chesters Bridge
Chesters Bridge
Chesters Bridge was a Roman bridge over the River North Tyne at Chollerford, Northumberland, England, and adjacent to Chesters Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall...
and Willowford Bridge, the bridges were widened in the early 3rd century to take the road, as opposed to the walkway as was previously the case.
Present day
The course of the Military Way is still very much evident and walkable between Sewing Shields (near Turret 45A) and Walltown Quarry (near Milecastle 35). A public right of way follows the Military Way from Milking Gap (near Milecastle 38Milecastle 38
Milecastle 38 is a milecastle fortlet on Hadrian's Wall in the vicinity of Hotbank Farm. It is notable for the joint inscription bearing the names of the emperor Hadrian and Aulus Platorius Nepos, the governor of Brittania at the time the Wall was built.The stone reads:- External links :...
) to Walltown Quarry.