In Which the E of D, LM and LP Spend Time With Romans and Walk the Wall of Hadrian

The original Roman mile marker was our first sign we were getting close. Or it would have been if we'd known what we were looking at the first time we walked by it. Fortunately, by the second time we walked by, we had achieved enlightenment.


We were close to this:
The Great Wall of Barbarians. Otherwise known as Hadrian's Wall.



Ok, fine. It's only known as Hadrian's Wall. But that's completely beside the point.

If you know me well, you know my fondness for Really Old Roman Stuff. And the Wall pretty much qualifies. Built a bajillion years ago (about 1900, give or take) to mark the edge of the Roman Empire and keep out the Barbarian Horde.

Barbarians being pretty much anyone who wasn't Roman. Like these two:

Nearly 300 years later the last Roman stood watch on the wall before the Empire hightailed it out of Britain for good. Roman shoes probably weren't nearly as cool as my trainers, though.
Are you tired of me saying "the views were amazing" yet?



Well, if the shoe fits.

I'm not sure this stone is actually Roman. Well, the stone was probably most definitely around at the same time the Romans were, I'm just not sure the arrow was carved in it by the Romans. But I like to think so.

This possibly Roman arrow points the way to Housesteads, one of the best preserved Roman forts along the wall.
The well was set outside the walls, believe it or not. I never understood why people built essential things like wells OUTSIDE fortifications. Makes no sense to me.
These carvings were originally INSIDE the walls. Probably in the temple.
The original inspiration for the statue of Aphrodite. HA!

The West Gate and the REAL reason these forts were built... TAXES!!!!!!!!!!

The more things change, eh?

Other important buildings sprinkled throughout the fort, like the Commander's Quarters, the Hospital, and the Baths.



After satisfying my need for Really Old Roman Stuff, we jumped in our chariot and headed to York...