Gloucester was the Roman municipality of Colonia Nervia Glevensium,
or Glevum, built in the reign of Nerva.
Parts of the walls can be traced, and a number of remains and coins have been found, though inscriptions are scarce.
In Historia Brittonum, a fabled account of the early rulers of Britain, Vortigern's grandfather, Gloiu (or Gloyw Wallt Hir: "Gloiu Long-hair"), is given as the founder of Gloucester
