City of emperors (c. AD 285–350)

Abstract

This chapter explores the archaeological evidence from London for the short-lived ‘British Empire’ of Carausius and his successor Allectus, when the city gained the pretensions of an imperial capital. Allectus commissioned a massive new public building complex along the riverside. This appears to have incorporated two unusually late examples of classical temples, which were perhaps attached to an imperial palace. In addition to summarizing previously published work, the text includes new speculations as to the character and identity of these temples. The suggestion that the boat found at County Hall in 1910 had been built as part of Carausius’ fleet is tentatively revived. The mint established at this time continued in operation after Constantius’s reconquest of Britain and Constantine’s subsequent assumption of power. The archaeological remains of this period are described to show that London remained an important administrative centre, but power was exercised from private houses and compounds. The city was no longer a port of consequence, and several of London’s most important public buildings were made redundant, quarried for buildings materials, and replaced by workshops.