Cavalry were the backbone of the Roman frontier garrisons. They projected the power and splendour of Imperial Rome.
From small scale raids to major attacks, the Romans used the cavalry to instil fear and obedience in conquered peoples. These elite troops protected Rome's north west frontier and projected imperial power.
From boy to man
This video ( 5 minutes) explores the story of one cavalryman's journey to glory:
Meet Rome's elite horsemen
What did the Roman cavalry do? How did they ride and where did they come from? Find out the answers in How Hadrian's Cavalry fought.
Action replay
How an historical re-enactment of Roman cavalry has helped our understanding of the practicalities of riding as a Roman cavalryman. Take a look at Turma! Cavalry in action.
By shield and sword
The Roman cavalry used some specialist weapons on Hadrian's Wall. Learn about their spears, swords and shields in Cavalry weapons.
Behind the mask
How did the Romans arm their cavalry? Check out their armour, including chamfrons – horse’s head armour – in Cavalry armour.
A steed of steel?
Where did Roman cavalry horses come from? What types of harnesses and saddles did they wear? Discover more, including how riders rode without stirrups, in Cavalry horses.
Grooming and mucking out
If you've ever been horseriding, you know it's not just about being on horseback! Looking after Cavalry horses explores how the cavalry cared for their valuable mounts.
In close quarters
Discover where the Roman cavalry lived and more about the barracks at Carlisle, Vindolanda and the main fort of Hadrian’s Wall at Stanwix in Cavalry barracks.
Not just for riding
Uncover how and why images of horses permeated the Roman Empire, including as hybrid beasts, in image of the horse in the Roman world.
The goddess of horses
Did you know the Roman horse goddess Epona had Celtic origins? There's more in Horse goddess Epona.
Sparking the imagination
From recreating the sound of 2000 hooves to comics, find out more about the modern art inspired by Hadrian's Cavalry.
Or why not try crafting your own Roman standard out of card and fabric?
Latin terms for the cavalry
- ala milliaria - an elite Roman cavalry unit of between 800 - 1000 horsemen
- chamfron - horse's head armour
- decurion - the name for a cavalry officer
- phalarae - circular discs, often used to join parts of a horse's harness together
- turma - a cavalry troop of 30 men
Victor says...
"I am named in the Vindolanda Tablets as 'Victor the Hunter'. I am a Vardullian from Northern Spain. My horse is called Regalis."
Hadrian's Cavalry exhibition of 2017
2017 marked the 1,900th anniversary of Hadrian becoming Emperor. Hadrian's Cavalry was a a major exhibition celebrating the cavalry regiments that once guarded this famous North West frontier. It ran from 8 April - 10 September 2017 across 10 museums and heritage sites coast to coast across the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.
It focused on the theme of Roman cavalry, their daily life and their key role on the Roman Frontiers in maintaining the security of the Empire. It featured a spectacular and unique collection of artefacts including loans of Roman cavalry equipment from the British Museum, National Museums Scotland, German and French museums and private collectors.
The exhibition was supported by a programme of re-enactment events. This included the Turma! event when a full troop of 30 Roman cavalrymen came together for the first time in 2,000 years to perform exercises and manoeuvres described by Hadrian himself.
Supported by
- Arts Council England's Museum Resilience Fund
- Carlisle City Council
- Christian Levett
- English Heritage
- Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site Partnership
- Northumberland National Park
- Senhouse Roman Museum
- Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery
- Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums
- Vindolanda Charitable Trust
Reflections on Hadrian's Cavalry project
This short video (3 minutes 19 seconds) focuses on the aims and achievements of this ambitious project:
