Italy - Day Twenty Three

Ostia Antica began as a fortress to protect Rome. It is located at the mouth of the Tiber river as it flows from the Mediterranean sea.

Ostia's salt marshes lead to its initial wealth. Later Ostia would become the main port for Rome. Ships would transport their loads into warehouses located in Ostia.

Ostia had huge warehouses for grain needed to feed the 1 million people living in Rome. It is easy to understand how one failed shipment could send the city into turmoil.

As Rome prospered - so did Ostia. It grew into a major port city with public buildings and temples.

Mussolini brought Ostia to light quickly ignoring most of the archeology principles and much of the information was lost in the feverish work from 1938 to 1942. It was rumored Mussolini wanted the site uncovered for the world-fair which never took place.

Ostia's success ultimately lead to its demise. The need for a modern port lead to the creation of Portus by Claudius and later Trajan (103 AD). For 400 years, a canal from the new port provided shipment of goods from all over the Empire to Rome.

Ostia slowly faded until vacated in the 9th century.

Our docent Livia Galante from Context Travel was brilliant. She steered us clear of the crowds (mainly children) and showed us the highlights of the excavation. Ostia is a big place so be ready to make some choices when visiting this wonderful site.