When Suetonius Paulinus learned of the Boudiccan revolt, he marched from Anglesey through the Midlands. At Londinium — then a growing commercial town of around 30,000 — he made the agonising military decision to withdraw rather than defend it, as his force was too small to hold the city against the Boudiccan army. He took with him those civilians who could travel; those who could not — many elderly, women and the infirm — were left behind and massacred when Boudicca arrived. The burned layer is clearly visible in London\'s archaeology.
Thousands of civilians massacred in London
Roman: Paulinus with his available forces — perhaps 10,000. Boudiccan: vast army that shortly afterwards burned London
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