Make use of the article to answer the questions.

Although there is some evidence of earlier inhabitation in the region of Utrecht, dating back to the Stone Age (app. 2200 BCE) and settling in the Bronze Age (app. 1800800 BCE), the founding date of the city is usually related to the construction of a Roman fortification (castellum), probably built in around 50 CE. A series of such fortresses was built after the Roman emperor Claudius decided the empire should not expand north. To consolidate the border the limes Germanicus defense line was constructed along the main branch of the river Rhine, which at that time flowed through a more northern bed compared to today (what is now the Kromme Rijn). These fortresses were designed to house a cohort of about 500 Roman soldiers. Near the fort settlements would grow housing artisans, traders and soldiers' wives and children.

From the middle of the 3rd century Germanic tribes regularly invaded the Roman territories. Around 275 the Romans could no longer maintain the northern border and Utrecht was abandoned. Little is known about the next period 270650. Utrecht is first spoken of again several centuries after the Romans left. Under the influence of the growing realms of the Franks, during Dagobert I's reign in the 7th century, a church was built within the walls of the Roman fortress. In ongoing border conflicts with the Frisians this first church was destroyed.

1. What is Utrecht's official found date?
2. What two ages can it be traced back to?
3. Who decided not to grow northward?
4. What did he do to prevent this?
5. When was the city eventually abandoned?
6. What was built under the Franks?
7. What eventually happened to it?
8. What caused it?
9. With whom?
10. What is used to identify the founding of the city?
11. What defense was along the river?

Numbered answers:
1. 50 CE
2. Stone Age and Bronze Age
3. Claudius
4. build fortresses
5. Around 275
6. a church
7. destroyed
8. ongoing border conflicts
9. the Frisians
10. castellum
11. Germanicus defense line