Septimius Severus and the Founding of Roman London
This boxed presentation features an authentic silver denarius of Emperor Septimius Severus (AD 193–211), the ruler credited with fortifying Londinium and laying the foundation for what would become the modern City of London.
Historical Significance:
The Romans first established a settlement on the River Thames around AD 47–50, recognizing its importance as a strategic crossing point and commercial hub. Though destroyed during the Iceni rebellion led by Boudica a decade later, the site was rebuilt under Roman control and grew into Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain.
During the reign of Septimius Severus, around AD 200, the city reached new prominence. The emperor ordered the construction of the massive London Wall, a defensive stone barrier encircling the settlement. This act formally established the City of London, ensuring its role as the administrative and economic heart of Roman Britain.
Although Rome withdrew from Britain in the early 5th century, leaving Londinium in ruins, the city would be revived centuries later by King Alfred the Great in 886, setting the stage for London’s eventual rise as one of the world’s greatest capitals.
This denarius of Septimius Severus is more than a piece of ancient silver—it is a tangible connection to the moment when Roman London was transformed into a fortified city, securing its place in history as the foundation of the modern metropolis on the Thames.
Septimius Severus and the Founding of Roman London
This boxed presentation features an authentic silver denarius of Emperor Septimius Severus (AD 193–211), the ruler credited with fortifying Londinium and laying the foundation for what would become the modern City of London.
Historical Significance:
The Romans first established a settlement on the River Thames around AD 47–50, recognizing its importance as a strategic crossing point and commercial hub. Though destroyed during the Iceni rebellion led by Boudica a decade later, the site was rebuilt under Roman control and grew into Londinium, the capital of Roman Britain.
During the reign of Septimius Severus, around AD 200, the city reached new prominence. The emperor ordered the construction of the massive London Wall, a defensive stone barrier encircling the settlement. This act formally established the City of London, ensuring its role as the administrative and economic heart of Roman Britain.
Although Rome withdrew from Britain in the early 5th century, leaving Londinium in ruins, the city would be revived centuries later by King Alfred the Great in 886, setting the stage for London’s eventual rise as one of the world’s greatest capitals.
This denarius of Septimius Severus is more than a piece of ancient silver—it is a tangible connection to the moment when Roman London was transformed into a fortified city, securing its place in history as the foundation of the modern metropolis on the Thames.
