Hadrian's Wall, which is an 80 mile long wall in the North of England, was a sign that Hadrian (the Roman Emperor) wanted to pull back the Roman Empire and not expand it. The wall began construction in AD 122 and took six years to complete. Hadrian was experiencing trouble and attacks in other Roman provinces and Hadrian's Wall was a way of assessing resources, retreating to a safe place and strenghtening local governments and battalions.
What was Hadrian's Wall defending against? The barbarians on the other side, who at that time, were the Picts and the Celts. The soldiers stationed at the wall were "wordly", at least by Roman standards. They were fluent in Latin, wore underwear (a Roman custom), and generally followed Roman custom. The Roman soldiers were the boundary of the Roman Empire in Britain. However, the wall was not impenetrable. People, the Romans and the barbarians, crossed it daily. The wall provided some control over immigration, smuggling and customs. Hadrian's Wall might be similar to the border between the US and Mexico, and particularly the area where an actual wall has been constructed.
Hadrian's Wall still exists and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are some helpful links:
Visit Hardrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall Gallery
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