ABSTRACT
The military advances of the early Flavian period caused the release from military government of considerable areas, so giving rise to the constitution of five more civitates: the Dobunni, Durotriges, Dumnonii, Corieltavi and Cornovii. The ultimate choice of Corinium as the civitas capital in the Flavian period emphasizes the importance of Bagendon in tribal politics and the return to that district of the tribal leaders. The occurrence of military equipment, a handful of pre-Flavian coins, and some samian and imported ware is probably an indication that a fort may first have occupied the town site at Dorchester. There is growing evidence that the buildings of the late Flavian town imply a rapid development in the centre. Some of them, which may have been part of the military vicus, were razed and replaced by more regular and spacious ones on different alignments, although timber frames and wattle and daub walls were still used.
