Londinium was the largest city in Britannia, covering 330 acres (138 ha). Much as it is today, London served as a commercial center in the days of ancient Rome. Much archaeological evidence regarding Londonium has been uncovered in the aftermath of the Blitz during World War II and the resulting redevelopment. London appears to have become the provincial capital after the Boudican revolt. The evidence of a large building where the modern Cannon Street rail station is today has been identified, however tentatively, with the governor's palace. Just as London was the largest municipality in Britain, the Hadrianic-era forum and basilica complex was one of the largest buildings in the province (located south of Bishopsgate and west of Aldgate). The first forum and basilica, in existance by roughly AD 85, were modest. The cathedral-sized replacement basilica began construction under Hadrian (AD 117-38). The area around the forum was filled with houses and shops, tightly packed together and built of wood. Evidence for this was found during excavations at No. 1 Poultry. There was also extensive commercial activity, which made use of substantial timber wharfs on the Thames river to import many foreign goods -- glass, samianware from Gaul and Italian amphorae for wine and olive oil have been found. Source: De La Bedoyere, Guy. Roman Britain. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2006. 97-8.