The legions
Discover more about the Legions who constructed the Antonine Wall.
During its occupation, the Antonine Wall was home to around 6,000 – 7,000 soldiers.
Each fort along the wall held garrisons of around 500 men. Keeping these men occupied when not on active service must have been a challenge for their commanders, who set their men a strict regime of training, patrolling the Wall and building maintenance.
What tasks did they do?
Every morning, centurions reported on the numbers available for work, and the day’s tasks were shared out. This could have involved guard duty, gathering water or fuel, administrative tasks, or constructing and maintaining the fort.
Training involving physical exercise was important to keep soldiers active. They practiced with weapons, battle exercises, and siege techniques. Equipment would be inspected with losses deducted from pay.
Soldiers in uniforms talk in front of tents. A metal stove, wooden stool, bowls, helmets, and shields are in front of them. © Malcolm McCurrach
What did they eat?
Soldiers probably took it in turns to cook their daily rations communally. Sewage from the communal latrines at Bearsden has revealed a surprisingly wide-ranging but largely vegetarian diet: wheat, barley, beans, figs, dill, coriander, raspberries, brambles, strawberries, blueberries and nuts. At Bar Hill and Mumrills, traces of shellfish have been found. Some items such as wine or olive oil were imported from overseas.
What did soldiers do to relax?
During their free time, soldiers relaxed in the bathhouses present at every fort. This was a place to chat, eat, drink, and play games.
While most of a soldier’s time would have been spent in and around the fort, the vicus outside would have offered a welcome distraction. Soldiers probably visited family members there as only the commanding officer would be allowed to have his family living with him in the fort.
The Auxiliary Units
Find out about the soldiers who were based on the Antonine Wall.
The life of a civilian
Soldiers on the Antonine Wall were joined by a range of civilians, who often lived in villages outside the forts.