History
Before the Romans, the settlement was known as *Uerulāmion (perhaps meaning " Uerulāmos " in the British language), the capital of the Catuvellauni tribe. It was established by their leader Tasciovanus and in this pre-Roman form, was among the first places in Britain recorded by name.
The Roman settlement was granted the rank of municipium in c. 50 AD, meaning its citizens had what were known as 'Latin Rights', a lesser citizenship status than a colonia possessed. It grew to a significant town, and as such received the attentions of Boudica of the Iceni in AD 61, when Verulamium was sacked and burnt: a black ash layer has been recorded by archaeologists, thus confirming the Roman written record. It grew steadily: by the early 3rd century it covered an area of about 125 acres (0.51 km2), behind a deep ditch and wall. It is the location of the martyrdom of the first British martyr saint, St Alban, who was a Roman patrician converted by the priest Amphibalus.
Verulamium contained a forum, basilica and a theatre, much of which were damaged during two fires, one in AD 155 and the other around AD 250. One of the few extant Roman inscriptions in Britain is found on the remnants of the forum (see Verulamium Forum inscription). The town was rebuilt in stone rather than timber at least twice over the next 150 years. Occupation by the Romans ended between 400 and 450.
There are a few remains of the Roman city visible, such as parts of the city walls, a hypocaust still in situ under a mosaic floor and a theatre, which is on land belonging to the Earl of Verulam - as well as items in the Museum (below). More remains under the agricultural land nearby which had never been excavated were for a while seriously threatened by deep ploughing.
Read more about this topic: Verulamium
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