Camulodunum Camulodunum Camulodunum (; ), the Ancient Roman name for what is now Colchester in Essex, was an important town in Roman Britain, and the first capital of the province. It is claimed to be the oldest town in Britain. Originally the site of the Brythonic-Celtic oppidum of Camulodunon (meaning "stronghold of Camulos"), capital of the Trinovantes and later the Catuvellauni tribes, it was first mentioned by name on coinage minted by the chieftain Tasciovanus sometime between 20 and 10 BC. The Roman town began life as a Roman Legionary base constructed in the AD 40s on the site of the
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