Colchester

Colchester. First ‘capital’ of Roman Britain. Camulodunum was the site of the most important late Iron Age oppidum of southern Britain, seat of Cunobelinus (Cymbeline). After its surrender in ad 43 a legionary fortress was planted, succeeded in 49 by a colonia of retired legionaries living in the former barracks. A temple to the deified Claudius was under construction when the entire town was burned to the ground in the first fury of the revolt of Boudicca. Town and temple were reconstructed, the latter being one of the few in Britain in the fully Roman style. It was the seat of the imperial cult and concilium provinciae (provincial council) for all Britain, and associated with a theatre. Walls to demonstrate the status of the colonia were constructed early in the 2nd cent. The town developed as a prosperous regional seat, its houses sheltering a fine collection of late 2nd-cent. mosaics. In the 4th cent. the density of occupation declined, though a rare example of a Roman-period church has been found outside the south walls. Medieval legend claimed for the town Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine I, as a daughter of Old King Coel.

Alan Simon Esmonde Cleary