Milecastle

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This article is part of the series on: Military of ancient Rome (Portal) 800 BC - AD 476

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Frontiers and fortifications (Limes, Hadrian's Wall)

A milecastle was a fortified structure that stood along Hadrian's Wall in Great Britain. Its primary duty was a gatehouse and garrison that controlled passage across the frontier. These structures were separated by distances of about one mile.

[edit] Gateways

The milecastles of Hadrian's Wall are recognised as having three principal types of gateway.

Type I have piers protruding symmetrically on the inside and outside of the gateway, with responds on both the inside and outside. The piers and passage-walls tend to be in large masonry. Generally thought to have been built by legio II Augusta.

Type II have piers protruding on the inside of the gateway, with responds on outside. The piers and passage-walls tend to be in smaller masonry than Type I. Only found on Narrow Wall milecastles; when similar gateways are found on Broad Wall milecastles, it is sometimes referred to as Type IV. Generally thought to have been built by legio VI Victrix.

Type III have piers protruding on the inside of the gateway, with responds on both the inside and outside. The piers and tend to be in large masonry and the passage-walls in smaller material. Generally thought to have been built by legio XX Valeria Victrix.