archeology, architecture. antiquity 

Ostia Antica is a large archeological site, close to the modern suburb of Ostia, which was the location of the harbor city of ancient Rome, which is approximately 19 miles to the northeast. "Ostia" is a derivation of "os", the Latin word for "mouth". At the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was Rome's seaport, but due to silting the site now lies 2 miles from the sea. The site is noted for the excellent preservation of its ancient buildings, magnificent frescoes and impressive mosaics. Ostia may have been Rome's first colonia. According to the legend Ancus Marcius, the semi-legendary fourth king of Rome, first destroyed Ficana, an ancient town that was only 11 miles from Rome and had a small harbor on the Tiber, and then proceeded with establishing the new colony 6 miles further west and closer to the sea coast. An inscription seems to confirm the establishment of the old castrum (military amp) of Ostia in the 7th century BC. The oldest archaeological remains so far discovered date back to only the 4th century BC. The most ancient buildings currently visible are from the 3rd century BC, notably the Castrum; of a slightly later date is the Capitolium (temple of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva). The opus quadratum of the walls of the original castrum at Ostia provide important evidence for the building techniques that were employed in Roman urbanization during the period of the Middle Republic. The excavated site of Ostia Antica is open to the public as a tourist attraction. A number of finds from the excavation are housed on-site in the Museo Ostiense, as well as dining and other facilities. The Theatre is also occasionally used for cultural events. - from Amzon