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Hadrian's Wall and the Picts

Study note

Although the Romans occupied most of Britain, large parts of what is now Scotland were never conquered. The peoples of the far north, known as the Picts, continued to resist. The Picts are regarded as ancestors of the Scottish people.

To defend the edge of Roman territory and to keep the Picts out, the Emperor Hadrian ordered a great wall to be built right across the north of England. This is the famous Hadrian's Wall. Along its length stood Roman forts, two of which you should know by name, Housesteads and Vindolanda.

Parts of Hadrian's Wall still survive and can be visited today. It has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now a popular destination for walkers. For the test, the key facts are that Hadrian had the wall built, it was meant to keep out the Picts, and Housesteads and Vindolanda were among its forts.

Memory tip: Hadrian's Wall kept out the Picts; forts Housesteads and Vindolanda; a World Heritage Site.

Practise this topic

Question 1 of 5

Who ordered the building of the wall across the north of England to keep out the Picts?

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Show all questions and answers for Hadrian's Wall and the Picts(5 questions with explanations)

Hadrian's Wall and the Picts: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Who ordered the building of the wall across the north of England to keep out the Picts?

    • William the Conqueror
    • Julius Caesar
    • King Alfred
    • The Emperor Hadrian

    Correct answer: The Emperor Hadrian

    Hadrian's Wall was built on the orders of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

  2. 2. Hadrian's Wall was built mainly to keep out which people?

    • The Vikings
    • The Saxons
    • The Picts
    • The Normans

    Correct answer: The Picts

    The wall was built to keep out the Picts, ancestors of the Scottish people.

  3. 3. Select TWO forts that were part of Hadrian's Wall.

    • Housesteads
    • Maiden Castle
    • Sutton Hoo
    • Vindolanda

    Correct answer: Housesteads and Vindolanda

    Housesteads and Vindolanda were forts along Hadrian's Wall.

  4. 4. Hadrian's Wall is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Hadrian's Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular with walkers.

  5. 5. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Hadrian's Wall was built to keep out the Picts
    • Hadrian's Wall was built to keep out the Vikings

    Correct answer: Hadrian's Wall was built to keep out the Picts

    Hadrian's Wall was built to keep out the Picts, ancestors of the Scottish people.

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