Birdoswald Fort on Hadrian's Wall, Gilsland, Cumbria
This is reconstruction drawing of Roman auxiliary infantry practising combat in the Drill Hall at .Birdoswald Roman Fort. The fort was known to the Romans as 'Banna'. It was built from 117AD. It was built to guard the Irthing Bridge. Hadrian's Wall was built by the Romans between AD122 -128. It stretched 117km across Northern England from the river Tyne to the Solway Firth. At every ‘Roman mile’ (approx 1.5 km) along the wall a mile castle was built. These were small forts for up to 50 men. Between each of these were two turrets. There were also at least 16 major forts such as Wallsend, Housesteads and Vindolanda on or near the wall. Around 2,000 soldiers were needed to patrol the wall. This site is now in the care of English Heritage (2010). Read detailed archaeological description.
