Hadrian's Wall, one of Britain's most famous ancient monuments, has been lit up to mark the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule in Britain.
Building on the wall began in 122 AD. It spanned the entire width of what is now northern England.
Nobody knows for certain why the Romans built the wall, but it is believed to have been constructed to keep out the unconquerable and warlike Picts who lived in what is now Scotland.
As night fell on the wall last night, 500 flaming torches were dotted along the 84 mile length of the wall. 500 volunteers each held gas-powered beacons 250 metres (about 750 feet) apart from each other.
The ceremony began at Segedunum Roman Fort on the eastern end of the wall, with beacons being lit one by one westwards along the wall, through the northern cities of Newcastle and Carlisle and ending Bowness-on-Solway on the west end of the wall.
Hadrian's Wall is the ancient world's largest monument in Northern Europe.
The Romans ruled Britain for 367 years, from 43AD to 410AD.
Hadrian's Wall lights up to mark 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule
By Rhianna King
14th March 2010
Daily Mail
The majestic Hadrian's Wall is an awe-inspiring sight at the best of times.
But last night it took on a magical new light as 500 flaming torches were dotted end to end along the 84-mile long Roman fortification.
As night fell, a group of 500 volunteers holding gas-powered beacons
and standing 250m apart created a 30 minute 'line of light' in a spectacle to mark the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule.
The event recreated the lights that once shone from the imposing Roman turrets and mini-castles which were regularly stationed along the length of the wall.
The ceremony began at Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend in northeast England, and the line of lights then made its journey westwards, passing through the cities of Newcastle and Carlisle and taking in some of the some of England's most picturesque countryside.
The final beacon was lit at Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coast.
The event marked British Tourism Week and the 1600th anniversary of the Roman departure from Britain in 410AD.
Thousands of people applied to take part in the rare event and viewing areas along the central line of the wall sold out months ago.
Five hundred people were chosen to hold the beacons and several hundred more volunteered to assist.
Hadrian's Wall Heritage chief executive Linda Tuttiett said people from across the world travelled to the site for the one-off event.
'When you see you the lights here, it's easy to imagine what it must have been like to be stationed here up on the wall,' she said.
'With Hadrian's Wall being one of the most important sites in the country, we thought it would be a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our stunning heritage. We've been delighted by how much enthusiasm this event has generated.'
Hadrian's Wall was built in 122 AD on the orders of the Roman emperor Hadrian to mark his empire's northern frontier.
It remained in use until the early fifth century when, with the empire collapsing and the city of Rome itself under threat, the Romans left British shores.
It is the largest monument from the ancient era in northern Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hadrian's Wall
Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian's Wall is so named as it was built in 122AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (10th August 117 - 10th July 138 ).
Nobody knows for sure why the wall was built, but its purpose may have been to defend the northern territory of the Roman Empire from warlike Scottish tribes.
The wall was the most heavily fortified border in the Empire. In addition to its role as a military fortification, it is thought that many of the gates through the wall would have served as customs posts to allow trade and levy taxation.
Construction of the wall started in the east and proceeded westwards, with soldiers from all three of the occupying Roman legions participating in the work. The route chosen mainly parallelled the Roman road from Luguvalium (Carlisle) to Coria (Corbridge).
Eventually, 17 forts were built along the length of the wall, including Vercovicium (Housesteads) and Banna (Birdoswald), each holding between 500 and 1,000 non-legionary troops.
The wall suffered serious attacks in 180 and again between 190 and 197, after which major reconstruction had to be carried under Septimius Severus.
Hadrian's Wall was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and in 2005 it became part of the larger "Frontiers of the Roman Empire" World Heritage Site which also includes sites in Germany.
The wall was garrisoned by non-legionary units of the Roman Army. These may have numbered 9000, including infantry and cavalry.
dailymail.co.uk
Building on the wall began in 122 AD. It spanned the entire width of what is now northern England.
Nobody knows for certain why the Romans built the wall, but it is believed to have been constructed to keep out the unconquerable and warlike Picts who lived in what is now Scotland.
As night fell on the wall last night, 500 flaming torches were dotted along the 84 mile length of the wall. 500 volunteers each held gas-powered beacons 250 metres (about 750 feet) apart from each other.
The ceremony began at Segedunum Roman Fort on the eastern end of the wall, with beacons being lit one by one westwards along the wall, through the northern cities of Newcastle and Carlisle and ending Bowness-on-Solway on the west end of the wall.
Hadrian's Wall is the ancient world's largest monument in Northern Europe.
The Romans ruled Britain for 367 years, from 43AD to 410AD.
Hadrian's Wall lights up to mark 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule
By Rhianna King
14th March 2010
Daily Mail
The majestic Hadrian's Wall is an awe-inspiring sight at the best of times.
But last night it took on a magical new light as 500 flaming torches were dotted end to end along the 84-mile long Roman fortification.
As night fell, a group of 500 volunteers holding gas-powered beacons
and standing 250m apart created a 30 minute 'line of light' in a spectacle to mark the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman rule.
Hitting the wall: Beacons and flares illuminate the length of Hadrian's Wall
Spectators gather across the Pennine hillsides between Newcastle and Carlisle as volunteers carrying flaming torches light the route of Hadrian's Wall
A spectator dressed as Roman soldier stands on the Pennine hillside
The event recreated the lights that once shone from the imposing Roman turrets and mini-castles which were regularly stationed along the length of the wall.
The ceremony began at Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend in northeast England, and the line of lights then made its journey westwards, passing through the cities of Newcastle and Carlisle and taking in some of the some of England's most picturesque countryside.
The final beacon was lit at Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coast.
The event marked British Tourism Week and the 1600th anniversary of the Roman departure from Britain in 410AD.
Thousands of people applied to take part in the rare event and viewing areas along the central line of the wall sold out months ago.
Volunteer Emma Spence lights a flame to help create the 84 mile long line of light
Volunteers at Steel Rigg, Northumberland look on as the wall is illuminated
Five hundred people were chosen to hold the beacons and several hundred more volunteered to assist.
Hadrian's Wall Heritage chief executive Linda Tuttiett said people from across the world travelled to the site for the one-off event.
'When you see you the lights here, it's easy to imagine what it must have been like to be stationed here up on the wall,' she said.
'With Hadrian's Wall being one of the most important sites in the country, we thought it would be a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our stunning heritage. We've been delighted by how much enthusiasm this event has generated.'
Hadrian's Wall was built in 122 AD on the orders of the Roman emperor Hadrian to mark his empire's northern frontier.
It remained in use until the early fifth century when, with the empire collapsing and the city of Rome itself under threat, the Romans left British shores.
It is the largest monument from the ancient era in northern Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 'line of light' was created to mark the 1600th anniversary of the ending of Roman rule
Volunteers from all over the world travelled to the UNESCO World Heritage site for the one-off event
Hadrian's Wall
Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian's Wall is so named as it was built in 122AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian (10th August 117 - 10th July 138 ).
Nobody knows for sure why the wall was built, but its purpose may have been to defend the northern territory of the Roman Empire from warlike Scottish tribes.
The wall was the most heavily fortified border in the Empire. In addition to its role as a military fortification, it is thought that many of the gates through the wall would have served as customs posts to allow trade and levy taxation.
Construction of the wall started in the east and proceeded westwards, with soldiers from all three of the occupying Roman legions participating in the work. The route chosen mainly parallelled the Roman road from Luguvalium (Carlisle) to Coria (Corbridge).
Eventually, 17 forts were built along the length of the wall, including Vercovicium (Housesteads) and Banna (Birdoswald), each holding between 500 and 1,000 non-legionary troops.
The wall suffered serious attacks in 180 and again between 190 and 197, after which major reconstruction had to be carried under Septimius Severus.
Hadrian's Wall was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987, and in 2005 it became part of the larger "Frontiers of the Roman Empire" World Heritage Site which also includes sites in Germany.
The wall was garrisoned by non-legionary units of the Roman Army. These may have numbered 9000, including infantry and cavalry.
dailymail.co.uk
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