Camulodunum pavements. It may have reached a population of 30,000 at its height. It was not until the late 18th century that historians realised that Colchester's physical Brythonic (British Celtic) and Roman remains were the city mentioned in ancient literature as "Camulodunum". The earliest Iron Age defensive site at Colchester is the Pitchbury Ramparts earthwork north of the town between West Bergholt and Great Horkesley. The main earthwork defences of the Brythonic Celtic oppidum of "Camulodunon" were built later, beginning in the 1st century BC but most date from the 1st century AD. They are considered the most extensive of their
Battle of Camulodunum Watling Street. Cerialis was recalled to Rome. The legion was later reinforced with legionaries from the Germania provinces. Cerialis returned as governor of Britain in 71 and took command of the Ninth once more in campaigns against the Brigantes. Around AD 71 they constructed a new fortress at York (Eboracum), as shown by finds of tile-stamps from the site. The Ninth legion disappears from Roman records after 108, a fact that has led to much speculation. Battle of Camulodunum The Battle of Camulodunum, also known as the Massacre of the Ninth Legion, (60 or 61 AD) was the major military