ancient Camulodunum
City and borough (pop., 2001: 155,794), southeastern England.
In ancient times, the city was the capital of the powerful pre-Roman ruler Cunobelinus. After his death, the enmity of his sons toward Rome encouraged the Roman invasion of Britain, and it became the first Roman colony there, founded by Claudius 0441; AD 43. Burned by Boudicca 's warriors 0441; AD 60, it was reestablished and received its first charter in 1189. In the 13th century it was a major port. It has a long history in both cloth making and oyster trading. It is the site of England's largest castle keep (built 0441; 1080), which now houses a museum of Romano-British antiquities.