Hadrian's Wall

Reading English Heritage's book on Hadrian's Wall I was surprised by its scope, considering it is really a guide with lots of of pictures. (You'll probably be able to pick it up on Amazon quite cheaply). It quickly demolishes the two great myths of the Wall - that it was like a medieval castle constantly under attack from tribes to the north. These would have been met by a Roman field army long before they got near the Wall, if they had massed to attack in huge numbers and there is no evidence they ever did. Myth 2 - that it was staffed by Romans from Italy who must have shivered to death in the cold of northern Britain. In reality soldiers were recruited locally.

It touches on the Wall's affect on the locals, its later history and covers over sites in the area like South Shields, Wallsend, Corbridge and Vindolanda. The Wall beyond Housesteads is explained and there is a section on the Turf Wall. It could have mentioned the Roman Army Museum in passing and used the Latin term Vicus to describe the civilian settlements that sprung up next to the forts but these are minor points.

One thing that is highlighted very well is the need to think in colour when looking at Roman remains. The reconstructed Bath House at Walls End and the representation of the Temple of Mithras in the Museum of Antiquities, Newcastle show the bright colours of Roman interiors.

Its the same for other ancient civilisations. The next time you are in the British Museum looking at Assyrian carvings or the Marbles themselves look beyond the grey and think colour.