Ostia Antica

Ancient Origens ^ | 10/10/2019 | Wu Mingren

[wildbill]

Ostia Antica is an archaeological site located on the outskirts of Rome. Although the Romans referred to the site as Ostia, this article will use the term Ostia Antica, so as to avoid confusion with the modern Roman municipio of Ostia (known officially as Lido di Ostia). Ostia Antica was the harbor city of ancient Rome and was therefore an important commercial center.

[wildbill]

Anyone who has read anything about the history of Rome will recognize the name Ostia. This is a very good article on its significance to early Rome and has some very good pics on the excavations.

[married21]

I’ve actually been there— in 1974! I was eleven, and I had no idea why my dad wanted to go there on our”free day” in Rome (while Mom did laundry). However, I remember interesting mosaics on the floors and very narrow stairs to the roofs of buildings. (No I did not get to go up them.) Hardly any tourists there, so lots of space to wander and imagine.

[montag813]

Ostia is a fun day trip outside Rome. Also an interesting side trip is EUR, Mussolini's "fascist city" South of Rome.

[Moonmad27]

I’ve also visited there on my first and only trip to Rome in the late 1970’s. The place was completely empty and I had it all to myself.

I remember the amphitheater, a dining room, the latrines and then suddenly got the chills when I was in the building of the baths. To be in a complete Roman building was eerie.

Much better than Pompeii with its crowds. I would love to go back and hope to go back next year.

[Verginius Rufus]

I had a similar experience more recently (1990s?)--only a handful of other people there, no massive crowds like Pompeii. Very easy to get to from Rome.

St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, died in Ostia.

[Larry Lucido]

I was last there in 1995. My great Uncle Aldo (one of my grandmother’s youngest brothers) lived there, within blocks of the beach. He was in his 80s then. His wife Gina was still living then, too.

Many lovely sights on the beach.

[DCBryan1]

Where did Rome build its Navy? I thought Ostia was a slack water trading port and Neopolis and Aretium (sp) were the deep water ports? Just wondering.

[Larry Lucido]

I did make it to the historic sites, of course. But as I said, I made sure to spend adequate time on the beach. Apparently, wanting a full tan was indeed a thing for some there (and elsewhere in Italy). I tried not to stare TOO much.

[sit-rep]

yes... lovely sights on the beach is a wonderful thing!!

bttt!!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!

[Grimmy]

Ostia is the city that, when you’re playing Rome in Imperator: Rome, the pirates always raid and steal your citizens and make them into slaves.

[wildbill]

I think its biggest naval base was somewhere on the Bay of Naples so it would make sense if they built ships there.