<P> Numerous finds have been made of spear heads and weaponry from the Bronze and Iron Ages near the banks of the Thames in the London area, many of which had clearly been used in battle . This suggests that the Thames was an important tribal boundary . </P> <P> Archaeologist Leslie Wallace notes that "Because no LPRIA settlements or significant domestic refuse have been found in London, despite extensive archaeological excavation, arguments for a purely Roman foundation of London are now common and uncontroversial ." </P> <P> Londinium was established as a civilian town by the Romans about seven years after the invasion of CE 43 . London, like Rome, was founded on the point of the river where it was narrow enough to bridge and the strategic location of the city provided easy access to much of Europe . Early Roman London occupied a relatively small area, roughly equivalent to the size of Hyde Park . In around CE 60, it was destroyed by the Iceni led by their queen Boudica . The city was quickly rebuilt as a planned Roman town and recovered after perhaps 10 years, the city growing rapidly over the following decades . </P> <P> During the 2nd century Londinium was at its height and replaced Colchester as the capital of Roman Britain (Britannia). Its population was around 60,000 inhabitants . It boasted major public buildings, including the largest basilica north of the Alps, temples, bath houses, an amphitheatre and a large fort for the city garrison . Political instability and recession from the 3rd century onwards led to a slow decline . </P>

When did the city core of london that you see today get established and why