The Last Frontier: Letters To and From Hadrian’s Wall
By Vicki Burns
Described by many as the most important monument built by the Romans in Britain, Hadrian’s Wall also boasts the title of the ‘most popular tourist attraction in Northern England.’ It was over 73 miles long and runs right across the top of England. Building began in AD 122 and finished some eight years later. It measured 3 metres wide and 5-6 metres tall.
Built after a visit by the Roman Emperor of that time, Hadrian, Roman legionaries from all three legions occupying Britain constructed this marvellous piece of history. Many believe it was built by slaves, on orders from Hadrian to “separate Romans from the barbarians,” although others argue it was simply a sign of power, to show the rest of Europe how strong the Roman Army was.
It was also built as a kind of occupational therapy for the legionaries, who needed to keep fit and healthy. They had just volunteered for the army and could be posted at what was known at the time to be ‘the farthest edge of the world,’ a lonely place full of bandits and savages.
Julia’s Story
30th October AD 132
Londinium
Peering at my face in the newly polished bronze mirror my husband’s mother gave me, I am displeased with myself. My skin is in poor condition, rough and weathered and not at all attractive. I put on more and more make-up everyday, but alas it does not make a difference. If anything, it makes my skin worse.
I give my servant a dirty glare as she tugs a bone comb through a knot in my hair. She mumbles her apologies and continues, pulling my hair into an elaborate style and clipping my hairpiece into place, before setting out with the hot tongs. I wince as she fumbles with the hot iron. She is dangerously close to burning me.
Eventually she is finished and helps me into my new tunic and sandals. I want to look my best for the dinner party this evening, even more so as my husband is journeying south especially. I haven’t seen him in many months, and miss him dearly.
I wish I could have been given a house further up North, but my father feared for my safety. He said the north is full of savages roaming freely in the woods and barrenness.
I must journey down to the kitchens now to supervise the preparing of the food. I do not like this job as the charcoal ashes get on my clothes and give them a slight lingering smell of smoke; not at all appealing to the types of people I mix with. Soon my husband will be home though, and I know he will be pleased to see me, ashen faced or not.
Aelius’s Story
30th October AD 132
Hadrian’s Wall
Sweat mixed with dirty rain runs down my face into my eyes and as I carelessly wipe it away, I think what my wife would say if she could see me now. No doubt she would tell me to bathe in clean water and change my clothes. I am meant to be arriving at our house today for the feast tonight, a banquet she is hosting. However, the captain ordered me to stay on. My wife will be disappointed but I know she will understand. I have to stay here with my men.
Morale is low as we just got word yesterday that nearly a whole legion was wiped out almost instantly by savages from the North, finding a break in the wall and seizing their chance. We must complete this vast challenge, for the good of our heritage, for the good of our country and the good of our Emperor.
I am tired. Last night I was awoken many times by the sound of men screaming and moaning in their beds, aware only in their dreams of the real dangers of this terrifying country. Any minute now we could be attacked and although this is constantly in the back of our minds, we do not let our fear show. We are men and must look after each other, as we would do our wives and children. We have a duty to our country to be proud, noble and strong. We will continue to be so until our dying day, which we will hold off as long as is humanly possible.
Julia’s Story
4th November AD 132
Londinium
My worries grow ever more quickly, day by day, minute by minute, second by second, as I receive no word from my husband.
He surely would have come down for the feast. He knew it was important to me. I would not like to think of what might have happened to him, he is my husband and I love him. It was highly embarrassing, however, to have to explain his absence to the local nobility. They have high expectations of me and I of them. I, myself, would be rather dubious as to their husbands priorities if they were absent from one of their dinner parties. I would question their loyalties as surely family comes first.
If I have no word on Friday week, I shall write to him and see what is going on. He is a strong man, both physically and emotionally and I know he would let no harm come to me. He would not leave me alone in England without returning, would he?
Legionary Rufus’s Story
9th November AD 132
Hadrian’s Wall
Dear Julia,
Your husband, a brave and noble man, has done everything for his country. He has given up his time, his family and most unfortunately his life. Aelius was a very popular and well-known man in his legion and was respected by all who met him. He constantly raised moral and we are very thankful to him for all his work in the past years. Please do not hesitate to contact me as your grieving is very important me. I honour and respect the healing of the pain you feel for your husband’s death.
Rufus VII
Julia’s Story
14th November AD132
Londinium
I am alone, so very alone in this cruel and villainous world. I received a letter early this morning. He died in battle, from an unprovoked attack from the barbarians of the North. I miss him dearly. Now he is gone and I am bound to a life led alone, with no-one for company. I have no children and my family are still in Rome. I wish I had never come here. I didn’t want to but it was my husband’s wish. Now he is gone and I am nothing here anymore. I want to go home.
Legionnaire Rufus wrote me a letter explaining what happened the day my husband was taken away from me forever. He was coming out of the baths, after a long and hard day’s work on the wall. Barbarians jumped on him beating him to the ground with sticks and long metal rods.
He was left for dead as they ran back to the shelter of their homeland, much like I wish to do. The rain came in that night and he was found the next morning, dead from the cold night’s rain and unsuitable conditions. He did not deserve this and neither did I. He would do anything for his country and now he has done his last. Why do we live in this God forsaken country they call Britannia?
LINKS
The Romans fought their way through Britain, against a variety of ancient tribal peoples who had co-existed across the country. But they had a tough time warding off the northern Picts, which is why they built the Wall. For another view of the Romans, there’s always the very first article The Romans are Coming, in the Kent section. Vikki’s not the only writer to imagine events from other perspectives. Look at Cinque’s Story in the London section, which imagine the Amistad story from the point of view of one of the slaves who struggled and won their freedom.