Section 1. Brief History of London: Roman London

Julius Caesar invaded England in 55 AD.He reached the Thames up to Southwark in London. On the other side of the river, there was a very small indigenous settlement. But it was with the second invasion in 43 AD that Londinium, as Romans called it, became the capital of Roman Britain. They decided to build a settlement on the north bank. They chose a spot in two small hills and where the river became narrower. They built a bridge over the Thames, and there has been a "London Bridge" in the same area ever since.

Some years later, a native tribe led by Queen Boudicca rose up against the Romans. They burnt Londinium to the ground and killed all its inhabitants. You can see a statue of Boudicca by Westminster Bridge in London.

The Romans regained control and rebuilt London, this time adding a Forum (market) and Basilica (a business centre), and slowly building a wall around the city to protect it. The Romans ruled in Britain until 410.