Controlling movement
Hadrian's rule has been described as a period of consolidation, a time in which to restore order in disaffected areas of the Roman Empire, in Germany as well as in Britain. The Wall was not designed to prevent movement, but rather to control it, as can be seen in the numerous gateways or milecastles which, as their names suggests, were placed at regular mile intervals along the length of the Wall. Although the Wall had a military function, and enabled watching and patrolling, over time it attracted wider settlement and trade to its forts and garrisons.
