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Colchester is an historical town in the north of the English county of Essex, with a population of about 160,000. It is the main town in the borough of Colchester, and is one of the towns which claim to be Britain's oldest town, it is Britain's oldest recorded town.
Colchester lies 54 miles east of London, with direct links into the capital via the A12/M25 road network, or 47 minutes by train into the heart of the city.
Colchester is the oldest recorded Roman town in England, although it existed as a Celtic settlement before the Roman conquest and there is archaeological evidence of settlement 3,000 years ago. Its Celtic name was "Camulodunon", meaning "the Fortress of Camulos". (Camulos was the Celtic god of war.) This name was modified to the Roman spelling of "Camulodunum" (written "CAMVLODVNVM").
Camulodunum was the capital of the Catuvellauni tribe. King Cunobelinus (or " Cunobelin") ( Cymbeline in William Shakespeare's play and " Old King Cole" of the nursery rhyme) was ruler of the CatuvellauniThe Catuvellaunii (meaning probably good in battle were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Isles, before the Roman invasion of Britain. The tribe lived in southern England, in modern Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and southern Cambridgeshire. when the Romans invaded BritainRoman invasion of Britain Britain was the target of invasion by forces of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire several times during its history. In common with other regions on the edge of the empire, Britain had long enjoyed trading links with the Romans in 43For alternate uses, see Number 43. Events The Roman conquest of Britain begins with the Battle of Medway. The Romans defeat Britons led by Caratacus The Romans found the cities of London, then known as Londinium, and Peterborough. The Romans begin to cons.
A Roman legionary fortress was established at Colchester in 43For alternate uses, see Number 43. Events The Roman conquest of Britain begins with the Battle of Medway. The Romans defeat Britons led by Caratacus The Romans found the cities of London, then known as Londinium, and Peterborough. The Romans begin to cons. This was the first permanent legionary fortress to be built in Britain. Later, when the Roman frontier moved north (c. 49Alternate uses, see Number 49 Centuries: 1st century BC 1st century 2nd century Decades: 0s BC 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s Years: 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Events Emperor Claudius marries his niece Agrippina the younger (approximate date), Colchester became a coloniaA colonia was a Roman outpost, usually established by veterans of a Roman Legion, who received land as a part of their retirement from the Legions. An example would be Lincoln, originally Lindum Colonia''. Another examples would be Colchester, originally known as Colonia Claudia Victricensis (written "COLONIA CLAVDIA VICTRICENSIS"). Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain before this was later moved to the more accessible site of London.
A Roman monumental temple was built at Colchester in c. 44For alternate uses, see Number 44. Events Emperor Claudius returns from his British campaign in triumph. Births Deaths Saint James the Great (martyrdom) Agrippa I of Judea Claudia Julia, executed niece of Claudius and Messalina (or 43/ 45). and was dedicated to the Emperor Claudius as The Temple of the Divine Claudius. The temple was completely destroyed during BoudiccaBoudicca (also known as Boadicea and Boudica , was a Celtic chieftain who led the Iceni and a number of other Celtic tribes, including the neighbouring Trinovantes, in a major uprising against the occupying Roman forces in Britain in AD 61. Prasutagus, he's rebellion in 61.
Colchester was the only place in the province of Britannia where samian ware was produced (for a short time). Roman brick making and wine growing also took place in the area. Bricks have been made in Colchester (or in the surrounding area) for around 2,000 years.
Many Roman mosaics and artefacts have been found in subsequent archaeological dig s in the town and some can be seen at the Colchester Castle museum. The Roman walls still survive (they are the most complete in the country) and they contain the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain. Many holes have been cut in the walls over the years and the history of the whole town can be seen in its surviving structure. Medieval buttresses, shops and steps are still present in Colchester.