In ancient times, it was known as Vallum Hadriani or Vallum Aelian. To the Romans, the wall separated the civilized life of the Empire from the barbarians of the north.
Stretching from the banks of the River Tyne near the North Sea to the Solway Firth in the Irish Sea, it was originally believed to be a defensive fortification, but there are other theories regarding the purpose of the large construction project, from limiting immigration to controlling smuggling to keeping the native population north of the wall.
Many scholars have questioned the wall's military effectiveness over the years because of its length and the location of the fortifications along the route. The Romans were experts in this regard. Having been a military fortress, the expert assures that it would have been built differently.
The wall remained in use until it was abandoned at the beginning of the 5th century.