Topics > Heritage Sites > Hadrian's Wall > Wall Mile 51 > Milecastle 51 (Wall Bowers)
Milecastle 51 (Wall Bowers)
There are thought to have been 80 milecastles on Hadrian’s Wall, located every Roman mile (1,000 paces) along the Wall, with two turrets (observation towers) spaced every third of a mile between them. The Milecastles were rectangular forts manned by small garrisons (probably 10-30 soldiers). The milecastles significance was much more than just their role in defending the Roman frontier. The milecastles had gateways in the north and south walls, often with towers on the north gate. They controlled passage through the Wall, supporting the checking of movement and levying taxes (customs) on goods and people. The milecastles also provided a visible symbol of Roman authority and imperial control. After Hadrian’s Wall was initially built (AD 122-8), larger forts (such as Housesteads) were added to the wall, providing bigger bases for fighting units, suggesting a shift in Roman strategy. In the 1930s a numbering system was devised, with the Milecastles numbered east to west.
from Geograph (geograph)
(The site of) Milecastle 51 (Wall Bowers) and the valley of Wall Burn
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
The north defensive ditch of Hadrian's Stone Wall east of Milecastle 51
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
(The site of) Milecastle 51 (Wall Bowers) and the valley of Wall Burn
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
from Geograph (geograph)
The north defensive ditch of Hadrian's Stone Wall east of Milecastle 51
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
