With the year 990 AUC and thoughts of the millennium upon us, it's time to start planning a visit to Camulodunum!

A Unique Claim
Even before the arrival of Rome, Camulodunum (meaning the fortress of Mars Camulos) was the largest and most powerful settlement in southeastern Britannia. It was home to a succession of local kings culminating with the famous Cunobelin, overlord of the tribes of southern Britain. Cunobelin was vanquished by the legions of Emperor Claudius, who made his triumphal entrance into Camulodunum accompanied by elephants; the magnificent arch marking that event is still the main entrance into the city proper. At Cunobelin's fortress was built the famous Temple of Claudius, dedicated in 802. Within a few years Camulodunum had been turned into the civilian settlement Colonia Claudia Victricensis, the first capital of the new Roman province of Britannia.

An Indomitable Spirit
It was barely a decade after the dedication of the temple that our city was devastated by the revolt of the Iceni queen Boudicca, who joined forces with the Trinoventes to attack our peaceful and undefended town. Although the colonists held forth bravely for days in the Temple of Claudius, in the end the temple became witness to a terrible massacre and, along with much of the city, was burnt by the rebels. The rebels were swiftly defeated by the disciplined Roman army and, despite the scale of the destruction, Camulodunum was rebuilt from its ashes and is now a thriving urban center, the location of an active mint, and boasts a healthy population of over ten thousand.

The city is now enclosed by a substantial defensive wall, which we have recently improved on. In fact, the walls of Camulodunum are alone worth the trip to our city.

Local auxiliaries of the cohors I Fida Vardullorum civium Romanorum equitata milliaria relax at the town baths.

Live in Luxury in Camulodunum
When you enter our city gates you are entering a town of importance and sophistication, a shopper's paradise catered to by mass production and international trade. Find entertainment at any of several theatres including the oldest in what was once the native quarter. Camulodunum has an abundant public water supply, over forty pottery shops, glass and metal manufacturers, and a major industrial complex. Large town houses feature the latest underfloor heating and many fine decorated mosaic floors created by local artisans, and our lovely countryside is the perfect location for a villa retreat.

Local gods? No problem!
in addition to the temple of Claudius, surely the largest and most magnificent temple in Britannia, Camulodunum boasts eight major temples to serve the needs of varied religious practices, both traditional and modern. The locals have added their own distinct flavour to their worship of the gods, but the visitor from anywhere in Rome will find familiar faces here. Mercury, god of trade, is a city favourite, guarded by the ever watchful eye of Mars Camulos.

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Above: head of Mercury

With acknowledgements to the Colchester Millennium City site

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