One Saturday we took the train from Rome out towards the coast to visit the ancient Roman City of Ostia Antica. It was about a half hour's ride out to Ostia. The day was perfect for visiting outdoor ruins -- the air was cool and the sun was bright. Although the course of the Tiber and the position of the coastline have changed in the last 2 millenia, when the city of Ostia was built it was situated at the intersection of these two waterways. During the height of Republican Rome the city of Ostia Antica, which had a population of 80,000, was the main port and supplied goods to the city of Rome from around the world.

Whereas the remains of the Forum in Rome evoke a world of power and ceremony, the remains at Ostia are very domestic in nature and walking through the city it is easy to imagine people living and working here.

One of the things that Ostia is best known for are the mosaics that have survived. The baths, homes of the rich, and public places such as shops and guild halls were all decorated with mosaics. One of the places where they are most abundant is in the Piazzale delle Corporazioni.

One end of the city is dedicated to cemeteries. There are numerous tombs as well as other statuary.

To learn more about Ostia Antica visit these web sites:

Internet Group Ostia
Ostia Tourist Guide