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Ostia Antica. Picture Marie-Lan Nguyen.

Top 1o Outstanding Facts about Ostia

 Ostia(or  Ostia Antica) lies 15 km from the city of  Rome for which it served as the city’s principal port and harbor throughout antiquity.

The name derives from ‘os’ or ‘ostium’ which means ‘mouth’ and refers to the city’s location at the mouth of the river Tiber.

Although originally situated at the mouth of the river, because of silting, it is now some 3 km east of the present river mouth although still located on the south bank of the Tiber.

This article will focus on Ostia by looking at some of the outstanding facts;

1. Ancient port of Rome was founded for trade

During the 7th century BCE, the ancient port of Rome was founded for trade and to serve as a military base. It was not until the 2nd century CE that the harbor city grew significantly.

The city was located on the banks of the river Tiber and the name ‘Ostia’ was derived from the Latin ostium, meaning mouth.

Because the harbor started silting up during the 2nd century CE, the over 100,000 people who had called this city home in its heyday started to slowly abandon the city.

2. The park holds many excavations

Ostia archaeological sites. By FrDr –

The archaeological park holds many excavations, such as that of a theatre of Marcus Agrippa for 3,000 men, many houses, baths, and temples, as well as countless mosaics.

It is believed that about two-thirds of the old city has been uncovered by the digs. The archaeological park of Ostia Antica is highly recommended if you wish to get away from the bustle of Rome and explore the many Roman ruins for a few hours.

3. There are numerous temples in Ostia

There are numerous temples in Ostia Antica, the most notable of which is perhaps the Capitolium.

Its enormous size is an indication of its importance, and it is believed to have been built during the reign of Hadrian and dedicated to the Capitoline triad of gods (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva).

Other important temples to look out for are the Round Temple, which resembles the Pantheon in Rome, and the Temple of Hercules, where you can see an evocative marble statue and some altars with inscriptions.

4. Ostia is important as the site of the death of Saint Monica

Saint Monica. Picture By Piero della Francesca.

 Ostia had been the port city of ancient  Rome and is often referenced in writings from the times of the  Roman Republic and the  Roman Empire.

For Christian posterity, Ostia Antica was especially important as the site of the death of saint Monica(mother of  Saint Augustine) in 387 in a house property of the Diocese of Rome, on their way back to Africa after Augustine’s conversion to Christianity.

5. The Theatre of Ostia

Interior of the theatre at Ostia Antica. Picture By Ethan Doyle White.

The theatre of Ostia (excavated in 1880-1881 CE and extensively restored) is located to the north side of the Decumanus Maximus and east of the forum.

It was initially built by  Marcus Agrippa between 18 and 12 BCE. In order to support this increased size the outer ring extended partially over the Decumanus Maximus and so, in order not to impede the flow of traffic, this outer ring was designed as a series of open arches.

At the end of the 4th century CE, the theatre was restored and changes were made that allowed the orchestra to be flooded for aquatic displays.

6. Before archaeological excavations were made, the whole city was covered by mud and sand

The city’s name comes from the Latin word Ostia meaning mouth because, during ancient times, the city was located at the mouth of the River Tiber. Before archaeological excavations were made, the whole city was covered by mud and sand.

This helped in preserving the city’s architecture and artworks. Now, visitors can wander around the Roman Theater and if you visit during summer, you can watch plays held at the ancient theater.

Marvel at the black and white mosaics on floors of the large bathhouses, like the Baths of Cesaii and the Bath of Neptune and walk through the forum- the marketplace or public square of an ancient Roman City.

7. Osta is a Tourist attraction center

Today, visitors can view a great many ruins from the ancient town including a well-preserved Roman theatre, the Baths of Neptune, remains of the military camp, temples to ancient deities, the forum, and even Ostia Synagogue, which is the oldest known synagogue site in Europe.

Yet Ostia Antica is so much more than these notable elements. It contains a huge range of well-preserved typical Roman dwellings, shops, flats, and warehouses – even a Roman public toilet. These remains combine to provide visitors with a vivid picture of an ancient Roman town and allow you to get a real feel for day-to-day life in ancient Rome.

There is also a small museum on site which has a number of artifacts and further information on the history of Ostia Antica. At certain times during the year, Ostia Antica is also the venue for concerts and other events.

8. Ostia was founded by King Ancus Marcius

Ancus Marcius, Picture from Domain.

To the east of Ostia were salt pans, where salt was probably already extracted in the Middle and Late Bronze Age (1400-1000 BC). There may have been a small village near the salt pans in the Early Iron Age (1000-700 BC).

Livius mentions Ostia twice in his accounts of the fifth century (and the exceptional floods of the Tiber in 414 and 363 BC). However, according to ancient tradition (authors such as Ennius, Livius, Cicero, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus), Ostia was founded as a colony of Rome earlier, by the fourth king of Rome, Ancus Marcius, who was thought to have ruled the late seventh century BC.

Even the year is mentioned: 620 BC. So far no remains of buildings have been found in or near Ostia dating from this period. If a settlement existed, then it must have been a small outpost, not even a village.

9. Most slaves were taken to Ostia from the Greek-speaking East

Through immigration and the import of slaves, the population rose to perhaps forty thousand, including many slaves. Most slaves were taken to Ostia from the Greek-speaking East. Many must have been foundlings, but the breeding of slaves must also have been a profitable trade.

Most families had at least one slave, and there were many Imperial slaves, working in the harbor and warehouses. Many slaves were manual laborers, others were clerks and accountants. The most frequent slave name is Felix: “Happy”.

In this period we witness a rise in the society of a middle class of traders and merchants, often not of Ostian origin. Some were free immigrants, others freedmen. If we believe the inscriptions, then the vast majority of the population of Ostia in the later second century was made up of freedmen and their children.

It is possible however that freedmen felt the need to self-advertise their newly acquired status, and that, as a result, they are over-represented in the epigraphic record. Especially people from North Africa started to play a dominant role, but France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt are also documented. 

10. The Horrea

Horrea Epagathiana was a large warehouse owned by two freedmen, Epagathus and Epaphroditus. It was built in the mid-2nd century CE and it is possible, due to the many locks found, that this warehouse was intended for the storage of valuables.

The Piccolo Mercato, despite its name, was a very large warehouse for, most probably, the storing of grain.

Finally, the Horrea Antoniniani was a large warehouse fronting on what was then the Tiber bank; almost certainly imperial and its primary use was for storing grain. It has only been partially excavated.