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Once the Romans had conquered a tribe they
would build a fort nearby to protect their soldiers. The fort would be made of wood or stone. It would also have a sleeping area for the soldiers who lived there.
It was a symbol of the power of Rome. The forts could be built very quickly.
Then they would appoint a British tribal king to rule for them. This made these kings even more powerful as they had the Romans to protect them but
they had to do as the Romans said. They would also have to pay taxes to the Roman governor and collect taxes from their own people.
Once the fort was established local tribes would try and trade with the soldiers. This could make them some money. The tribes in the south east of
England already knew about trading with Rome as merchants had come across the English Channel for many years. The English Channel is the stretch of water that
divides England from France.
The next thing the Romans would build was a town. This would be
where merchants could live and also the retired soldiers. The Romans had made Colchester their capital in England and in this year it became the first Roman
town built in England. This makes Colchester England’s oldest recorded town. London was founded some 3 years later in 50AD and, at the same time, a bridge was
built across the River Thames. The Romans had also started to build a network of their famous roads all over southern England.
Some Britons would go and live in the towns. They would either work for Romans as slaves or help the merchants in their shops. In the centre of every
town was the forum or marketplace. This was where all the business was done. Towns would have Roman names. The Romans spoke a language called Latin. Colchester
was called Camulodunum while London was called Londinium. Colchester was in the land of the Iceni tribe.
The other major town at the start of the Roman rule was called Verulamium and today is known as St Albans.
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