Military Way (Hadrian's Wall)

The Military Way is the modern name given to a Roman road constructed immediately to the south of Hadrian's Wall.

Establishment

Evidence has shown that the road was constructed before the abandonment of the turrets in the second century (linking roads between the Military Way and some turrets have been identified). The existence of the Stanegate 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 162 AD.^[1]

Characteristics

As with most Roman roads, the Military Way was constructed from large stones, and surfaced with gravel. It was usually around 6 metres (20 ft) wide with a camber of up to 46 centimetres (18 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.^[1]

Spurs have been identified linking the Military Way to some milecastles, for example Milecastle 9.

Some milestones have been found along the road (taking columnar form). These indicate that, in the 3rd Century, distances were numbered westwards from Dere Street.^[1]

Course

The Military Way runs along the top of the north mound of the Vallum in many places, and elsewhere runs between the Vallum and the curtain wall.^[1] At the river crossings at Chesters Bridge and at Willowford Bridge near Birdoswald Roman fort, the bridges were widened in the early 3rd century to take the road, as opposed to just the walkway as was previously the case.^[2]

Present day

The course of the Military Way is still very much evident and walkable between Sewing Shields (near Milecastle 35) and Walltown Quarry (near Turret 45A). A public right of way follows the Military Way from Milking Gap (near Milecastle 38) to Walltown Quarry.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Breeze, David J (1934), Handbook to the Roman Wall (14th Revised edition - Nov 2006), Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, p. 89, ISBN 978-0-901082-65-7
^ David J Breeze and Brian Dobson (1976). Hadrian's Wall. Penguin Archaeology. p. 128. ISBN 0-14-013549-9.

[collingwood-1] Breeze, David J (1934), Handbook to the Roman Wall (14th Revised edition - Nov 2006), Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne, p. 89, ISBN 978-0-901082-65-7

[Breeze-2] David J Breeze and Brian Dobson (1976). Hadrian's Wall. Penguin Archaeology. p. 128. ISBN 0-14-013549-9.

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[2]

v t e Forts and structures of Hadrian's Wall
Wall Forts (East to West)	Segedunum Pons Aelius Condercum Vindobala Onnum Cilurnum Procolita Vercovicium Aesica Magnis Banna Camboglanna Uxelodunum Aballava Coggabata Maia
Outpost Forts	Habitancum Fanum Cocidi Castra Exploratorum Blatobulgium
Stanegate Forts	Corstopitum Newbrough Vindolanda Haltwhistle Burn Magnis Throp Nether Denton Castle Hill Boothby Brampton Old Church Luguvalium
Supply Forts	Alauna Arbeia Coria Vindomora
Cumbrian Coast Forts (North to South)	Bibra Alauna Burrow Walls Gabrosentum
Milecastles	0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 50TW 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
Milefortlets	MF 1 MF 2 MF 3 MF 4 MF 5 MF 9 MF 10 MF 11 MF 12 MF 13 MF 14 MF 15 MF 16 MF 17 MF 18 MF 19 MF 20 MF 21 MF 22 MF 23 MF 24 MF 25
Other structures on Hadrian's Wall	Portgate Planetrees (Hadrian's Wall section) Chesters Bridge Limestone Corner Knag Burn Gateway Peel Gap Tower Willowford Bridge Pike Hill Signal Tower
Regular and linear features	Vallum Military Way Hadrian's Wall Path Turrets