 It is not known whether the fire was accidental, set by coastal raiders or part of a more widespread period of disruption caused by the revolt of the 'British' emperor Carausius in the 280s AD.The accepted theory, first proposed by Barry Cunliffe, is that the early phase of the palace was the residence of Tiberius Claudius Togidubnus (or Cogidubnus), a pro-Roman local chieftain who was installed as king of a number of territories following the first stage of the conquest.Togidubnus is known from a reference to his loyalty in Tacitus's "Agricola", and from an inscription commemorating a temple dedicated to Neptune and Minerva found in nearby Chichester.