The name Durovernum Cantiacorum is Latin for "Durovernum of the Cantiaci", preserving the name of an earlier British town whose ancient British name has been reconstructed as *Durou̯ernon, although the name is sometimes supposed to have derived from various British names for the Stour. The Iron-Ageoppidum at the site was triple-ditched. The site seems to have been occupied and fortified by the Romans shortly after their invasion in 43. Military occupation continued until at least the time of Boudica's rebellion.
Development
There is no evidence of much development in Durovernum until the Flavian period, after demilitarisation. It became the civitas capital of the Cantiaci tribes. A large religious and administrative complex was soon established at its centre, consisting offorum and basilica, temple enclosure and theatre. The theatre, originally built around AD 80, was totally rebuilt in the early 3rd century. It was probably associated with religious festivals as much as the dramatic arts. The public baths were just to the north-east. A number of other possible temple and/or church sites have also been identified. The town was enclosed by defensive walls in the late 3rd century and was given single-arched gateways. Private buildings within the walls were originally of timber, but were later replaced with stone and some furnished with mosaic floors. An extensive complex of wooden pipes serviced the town. Industries included brick, tile and pottery production, as well as bronze working. There were many commercial shops, notably a baker's shop with donkey-driven millstone. Cemeteries outside the town appear to have continued in Christian use and St Martin's Church appears to be built around an old Roman mausoleum which stood in one of these.
Decline
Because of its links with Gaul, Durovernum seems to have survived in good order until the Romans administration left around 410. However, after that, its decline was rapid. Hired mercenaries were used to defend the town but they revolted and, by the time of the Battle of Aylesford in the mid-5th century, the Jutes had taken over the area. The British and Latin name survived as the medieval Latin placenames Dorobernia and Dorovernia, but it also became known in Old Welsh as Cair Ceint and in Old English as Cantwareburh, which developed into the modern "Canterbury".
