The Romans founded Londinium in 47AD, on the north bank of the Thames. It was around where London Bridge now stands, then the lowest point of the river and narrow enough to bridge. Alas, when they hightailed it back to Rome 350 years later, an Italian love of eating out was not part of their lasting legacy (gratias for the roads and baths, though).
Over the following centuries, the crowded square mile that corresponded to Roman Londinium established itself as Europe’s financial powerhouse. As the capital’s social life shifted westwards following the Great Fire of 1666, so the City of London became synonymous with work, not play.
