Camulodunum > Colchester Essex United Kingdom

Camulodunon had been the capital of the Trinovantes tribe, who have built an impressive system of earthwork defenses to the west and south of the town.

It was probably established as their capital by Addedomarus, a king known from his inscribed coins dating to around 25 - 10 BCE (at the time of Caesar's invasions of Britain in 55 and 54 BCE, the tribe were probably based at Braughing).

For a brief period around 10 BCE, Tasciovanus, a king of the Catuvellauni already issuing coins from Verlamion, also issues coins from Camulodunon, suggesting that the Trinovantes' capital had been conquered by the Catuvellauni, but he was soon forced to withdraw, perhaps as a result of Roman pressure—his later coins are no longer marked with the Latin REX (for "king"), but with the Brythonic RICON—and Addedomarus is restored.

His son Dubnovellaunus succeeds him, but is soon supplanted by Tasciovanus' son Cunobelinus.

Cunobelinus then succeeds his father at Verlamion, beginning the dominance of the Catuvellauni over the southeast.

Cunobelinus is friendly with Rome, marking his coins with the word REX and classical motifs rather than the traditional Gallo-Belgic designs.

Archaeology shows an increase in imported luxury goods, probably through the port of Camulodunon, during his reign.

He is probably one of the British kings that Strabo says sent embassies to Augustus.

Strabo reports Rome's lucrative trade with Britain: the island's exports include grain, gold, silver, iron, hides, slaves and hunting dogs.

Cunobelinus, Catuvellauni overlord of southeastern England, had died prior to the Roman invasion under Aulus Plautius in 43; his sons Caratacus and Togodumnus lead the British defense, using guerilla tactics against an estimated forty thousand troops.

They lose much of the southeast after being defeated in two crucial battles on the rivers Medway and Thames.

The Roman commander then secures a crossing point of the River Thames, halts, and sends word for Claudius to join him for the final march on the Catuvellaunian capital, Camulodunum (Colchester).

Dio says that this was because the resistance became fiercer as the Britons tried to avenge Togodumnus, and Plautius needed the emperor's help to complete the conquest; however, as Claudius was no military man and in the end spent only sixteen days in Britain, it is likely the Britons were already as good as beaten.

Claudius arrives with reinforcements, including artillery and elephants, which must have made an impression on the Britons when they were displayed in the large tribal center of Camulodunum.

As Suetonius and Claudius' triumphal arch state, the British kings surrendered without further bloodshed.

An alternative reading of Dio's history of the invasion suggests that Togodumnus may actually have been acting in support of the Roman troops, against his brother Caratacus, and that he survived the battles of the River Thames, providing the later Roman administration with valued assistance.

Dr. Miles Russell of Bournemouth University has further suggested that Togodumnus and Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus, whose original name may have been Togidubnus or Togodumnus, postulated resident of the late first century CE palace at Fishbourne may well have been one and the same.

Claudius is present in August when his legions march into Camulodunum (Colchester), the capital of the Catuvellauni, but Caratacus survives and carries on the resistance further west.

The Romans prevail in southeastern Britain, and in 47 establish their first British colony in the province of Roman Britain, Camulodunum (present Colchester), situated on the Colne River, in present Essex.

Extensive trade with the Romans also takes place, with such items as grains, furs, and enslaved people exchanged for wine and other luxuries.

…the Legio XX Valeria Victrix holds Camoludunum (modern Colchester).

Ostorius initiates further Romanization during his command in the safer southern lands, founding Britain's first colony of military veterans at Camulodunum in 49 and …

Aulus Gallus has brought the Welsh borders under control but does not move further north or west, probably because Claudius is keen to avoid what he considered a difficult and drawn-out war for little material gain in the mountainous terrain of upland Britain.

When Nero became emperor in CE 54, he seems to have decided to continue the invasion and in 57 appoints Quintus Veranius as governor, a man experienced in dealing with the troublesome hill tribes of Asia Minor.

Veranius reverses Didius's policy of maintaining existing borders and begins military operations against the troublesome Silures in what is now Wales, but dies within a year.

In his will, he flatters Nero and claims that, had he had another two years, he would have conquered the whole of the island.

He is replaced by Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.

The rebels' first target is Camulodunum (Colchester), the former Trinovantian capital and now a Roman colonia.

The Roman veterans who had been settled there have mistreated the locals and a temple to the former emperor Claudius has been erected there at local expense, making the city a focus for resentment.

The Roman inhabitants seek reinforcements from the procurator, Catus Decianus, but he sends only two hundred auxiliary troops.

Boudica's army falls on the poorly defended city and destroys it, besieging the last defenders in the temple for two days before it falls.

Archaeologists have shown that the city was methodically demolished.

Catus Decianus, who had fled to Gaul, is replaced by Gaius Julius Alpinus Classicianus, who has expressed concern to the Emperor Nero that the punitive policies of the governor, Suetonius Paulinus, will lead to continued hostilities.

Nero dispatches his freedman, Polyclitus, to lead an inquiry.

An excuse, that Suetonius had lost some ships, is found to relieve him of command and replace him with the more conciliatory Publius Petronius Turpilianus.

The historian Suetonius tells us the crisis had almost persuaded Nero to abandon Britain.

Cerialis is appointed governor of Britain in 71, bringing the II Adiutrix with him to the province.

He is supported by Gnaeus Julius Agricola, commander of XX Valeria Victrix.

As governor, Cerialis campaigns against the Brigantes of northern England.