Section 1 - Brief History of London. Roman London

Julius Caesar invaded England in 55 AD.He reached the Thames up to Southwark in London. On the other side of the river, there was a very small indigenous settlement. But it was with the second invasion in 43 AD that Londinium, as Romans called it, became the capital of Roman Britain. They decided to build a settlement on the north bank. They chose a spot in two small hills and where the river became narrower. They built a bridge over the Thames, and there has been a "London Bridge" in the same area ever since.

Some years later, a native tribe led by Queen Boudicca rose up against the Romans. They burnt Londinium to the ground and killed all its inhabitants. You can see a statue of Boudicca by Westminster Bridge in London.

The Romans regained control and rebuilt London, this time adding a Forum (market) and Basilica (a business centre), and slowly building a wall around the city to protect it. The Romans ruled in Britain until 410.

- The population of Roman London was between 12.00 and 20.000 inhabitants
- The River Thames was 300 metres wide (today it is 100m wide)

Obviously, the remains of the Romans in London can be found in The City and in Southwark (Two areas we will talk about in section 2).

Sites where you can find Roman remains:

- Museum of London
- British Museum
- All Hallows by the Tower Cript and Roman Road
- Amphitheatre under the Guildhall Art Gallery
- Foundations of the Mirtra Temple in Queen Victoria Street

Good luck.