Londinium

Roman London (Londinium) was established around 43 CE. It served as a major commercial centre for the Roman Empire until its abandonment during the 5th century. The name "Londinium" is thought to be pre-Roman (and possibly pre-Celtic) in origin. Following its foundation in the mid-1st century, early Roman London occupied a relatively small area, roughly equivalent in size to Hyde Park at 350 acres (1.4 km2). The 19th-century antiquarian Roach Smith estimated its length from the Tower of London west to Ludgate at about one mile; and from London Wall in the north to the Thames bank around half a mile.