Discover Colchester
Learn more on our next Guided Tours

What happened in Camulodunum?
Pre-Roman Camulodunum was inhabited by the Trinovantes – a Celtic tribe which occupied most of the areas now known as Essex and Suffolk. Their powerful ruler, Cunobelin, was known by the Romans as King of the Britons.
Romans, under the direction of Emperor Claudius, invaded the town in 43AD, and Camulodunum became the capital of Roman Britain.
In 61AD Boudica, member of the Celtic Iceni tribe from Norfolk, led an army to sack Roman Colchester, burning the iconic town to the ground in protest.
Camulodunum in AD 77
The earliest record of the town's existence is a reference by the Roman writer, Pliny the Elder in AD77. In describing the island of Anglesey, he wrote that ‘it is about 200 miles from Camulodunum, a town in Britain'.
Camulodunum being the pre-Roman name for Colchester. This is the first known reference to any named settlement in this country.
Pliny died in AD79, one of the victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which destroyed Pompeii.

Visit Britain's Oldest Recorded Town Today
See historic sites and artefacts dating back from the time of the Boudica, The Romans and the time around which Camulodunum is first mentioned.
Today in Colchester you will find:
Balkerne Gate, original entrance to the town, upgraded to a “Triumphal Arch” when Emperor Claudius invaded the town
The Roman Wall, built as defences around the town after 60AD after Boudica’s revolt
The Roman Circus, the only known Roman chariot-racing track in Britain
Mosaics from Roman households in various locations, including Firstsite and Colchester Castle
Romano-Celtic artefacts in Colchester Castle Museum, including household items, weaponry and coins.