ABSTRACT
London would undoubtedly have had its temples dedicated to both reigning and deified emperors along with most other towns in Britain. A continuing bond of the nature between colonia and legionary fortress could have given rise to a correspondingly higher proportion of retired soldiers among the populations at Colchester and Gloucester. As a result, these towns, although undoubtedly comfortable and prosperous, may have lacked the diversified, extrovert character required to make a successful capital, a factor in their make-up which has already been referred to in describing the selection of London rather than Colchester as the earliest provincial capital. As in most towns in Britain, evidence for the survival of civilized life after the collapse of the central administration is scarce. Although London has produced some metalwork of the type associated with late Roman military uniforms, the total number of such finds is not high when compared with some other towns.
