A Day in Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica, a Roman Port City at the mouth of the Tiber, was abandoned, overgrown, looted (from peasants to the pope) and then rededicated as an archaeological site. This was a thriving town of 50-80 thousand people during its heyday 2000 years ago. Imports of grain for Rome were important, but also all manner of things were imported such as ivory and exotic animals for the Roman Zoo. The city was served by an aqueduct and had fountains and baths for the public and running water and private baths in the homes of the wealthy. We explored condominiums up to four stories high for the wealthy and apartments for the poorer people that were up to 6 stories high. There was a huge forum and a theater that would seat 4 thousand. There were many temples--the largest was in the forum and was dedicated to Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.

The last hour of our time there we were propositioned for a private tour by a guide who had finished with her group. The private tour was worth it as we were guided to and told about things we would not have found on our own.

Welcome to Ostia Antica

Looking down at the tiles of the public baths

All around this square in front of the theater were offices of various businessmen such as ship owners and the square was once filled with statues of locals

Rams and such were sacrificed at this alter and the entrails were read to predict your success or failure in a business venture

Grain for town use was ground to flour here and baked up into bread in nearby ovens and probably sold to you in panini (sandwiches) in a cute nearby taverna

William at the edge of the front of the Jupiter, Juno, Minerva temple looking out at the forum
With our guide at the top of what is left of a four story condo. There would have been about 6-8 individual apartments in this building that had its own baths.

Flush toilet in a lower middle class home. The water rushed under the seats continuously and washed all away and out to the Tiber.
We would never have found the mithraeum temple with the statue of Mithras sacrificing a bull (copy) without our guide.
Then we heard the whistle blowing by the staff to herd people out to the exit as it was nearing closing time.