Early History and Establishment
The site of Birdoswald was first occupied by the Romans in the early 2nd century AD, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. The fort was constructed as part of Hadrian's Wall, a defensive fortification that stretched across northern England to mark the Roman Empire's northern frontier. Birdoswald's strategic location on the Wall, near the Irthing River, made it an ideal site for a fort that would oversee and control movement between Roman-controlled Britain and the wild frontier beyond.
The fort is thought to have been built around 120 AD and would have served as a military garrison. The soldiers stationed at Birdoswald were likely part of a cohort of auxiliary troops, who were non-citizen soldiers recruited from across the Roman Empire. These soldiers would have been responsible for guarding the Wall, maintaining peace in the surrounding area, and deterring invasions from the Picts and other tribes from the north.
The Structure of the Fort
The fort at Birdoswald was substantial in size, with an area of about 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres). Its layout followed the typical Roman fort design, with four gates located at each cardinal point. Inside the fort, there were barracks for soldiers, a headquarters building, and a commander's house. The fort also contained granaries to store food supplies, bathhouses, and other amenities for the soldiers.
The fort's walls were built from local stone, and remnants of these walls can still be seen today. The surrounding defensive ditch and ramparts would have served as further protection, ensuring that the fort could withstand attacks from outside forces.
Role in the Roman Empire
Birdoswald played an important role in the broader system of Roman military defense. It was part of a network of forts, milecastles, and turrets that were constructed along Hadrian's Wall. The Wall itself was built to protect the Roman province of Britannia from raids by the Picts, a group of people living to the north in what is now Scotland.
Birdoswald also served as a supply depot, helping to maintain the Roman military presence on the frontier. Its location allowed it to act as a critical junction for the movement of troops and goods between the eastern and western parts of Roman Britain. shutdown123