Calleva Atrebatum (modern Silchester, Hampshire) means ‘(the town in the) woods of the Atrebates’. The tribe of the Atrebates came from Gaul in the 1st century BC and made their capital at Calleva. They were already familiar with the Roman way of life and the coins of their ruler, Tincomarus, were made by die-cutters skilled in Roman techniques.

After the conquest of Britain, the Atrebates’ territory became a Roman client kingdom. Public baths, at least three temples, and an amphitheatre were built. Bricks survive stamped with the name of the emperor Nero (reigned AD 54-68). Later in the century, a regular street grid was laid out. A central forum with a basilica (large public hall), a market place and an administrative centre, was constructed about AD 85. The basilica was decorated with Italian marble and housed a large stone statue of the Tutela, or guardian god of the region.

In the 2nd century, Calleva was given defensive earth walls, replaced with masonry in the 3rd century. For the last 200 years of Roman rule, Calleva flourished. Its main street was lined with shops and workshops; there were large houses for tribal nobles, and smaller ones for merchants and traders. However, after the Romans left Britain, the town fell into disrepair and never recovered.