WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2013

Emperor Hadrian -- the great builder
for an upcoming birthday party, while another complains of the
quality of the wine sent to the fort from “back home.” Many can
be seen at the British Museum in London.
A few miles west, the Roman Army Museum presents the story
of the legions that protected the fortification through an excellent
film “Edge of the Empire.” Not only were Romans guarding
the walls, but others in their ranks came from Syria or North
Africa.
The wall's construction by Emperor Hadrian was an admission
by the Romans that they would not be able to occupy the entire
island of Great Britain, as unconquered tribes to the north continually
upset plans for Roman dominance. Thousands of Roman
soldiers from today's Europe, the Middle East and North
Africa were posted along this fortification for a period of about
400 years.
Today, as then, borders dominate our political discussion, a
thought continually presented through this hike. After the Romans
left, this region endured decades of marauding border
raiders, both English and Scots, known as the Reivers.
With the recent agreement by British Prime Minister David
Cameron and Scottish politician Alex Salmond setting a referendum
on Scottish independence for 2014, this onetime wild
border region may again take a front seat in geopolitical terms.
Heading home, Tom said the hike was more arduous than he
had expected – “a good walk.”
Still, we suffered no mishaps and persevered through rain and
winedineandtravel.com | 67