Londinium

Londinium was the Roman name for the city that is now London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom. Established around 47 AD, shortly after the Roman invasion of Britain, Londinium served as a vital commercial hub due to its strategic location on the River Thames and its access to the Roman road network.

Initially a relatively small settlement, Londinium quickly grew in importance, becoming a major trading center connecting Britain with the rest of the Roman Empire. By the 2nd century AD, it had replaced Camulodunum (Colchester) as the capital of Roman Britain (Britannia). Londinium boasted impressive Roman infrastructure, including a forum, basilica, amphitheater, temples, bathhouses, and a governor's palace. It was also defended by substantial defensive walls.

The city thrived until the late 4th and early 5th centuries when Roman influence in Britain began to wane. As the Roman Empire weakened, Londinium experienced a decline in population and prosperity. After the Roman withdrawal from Britain in 410 AD, Londinium was gradually abandoned, and the settlement shifted slightly westwards to the area around the present-day City of London.

While much of Roman Londinium lies buried beneath modern London, archaeological excavations have revealed significant insights into its history, layout, and the lives of its inhabitants. Discoveries include building foundations, mosaics, pottery, and other artifacts that provide valuable information about Roman Britain. The name "London" is derived from Londinium, preserving the legacy of the city's Roman origins.