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What Evidence Do We Have For The Purpose Of Hadrian's Wall Actual documentary evidence detailing the purpose of Hadrian's Wall is virtually non-existent. The 'Scriptores Historae Augustae' tell us very little, in fact the sole classical literary reference linking Hadrian to the wall was written by Aelius Spartianus, towards the end of the 3rd century. It simply stated: 'He instituted many reforms and was the first to build a wall eighty miles long to separate the barbarians from the Romans'. However, there is a considerable amount of epigraphic and circumstantial evidence which tells us how and why the wall was built and, when pieced together, gives us a good indication of its purpose. Hadrian became emperor in 117 AD after the death of Trajan and his political aims were completely different to his predecessor. Whereas Trajan had pursued a policy of uninhibited expansion, Hadrian wanted to consolidate existing gains and build permanent, secure...

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