O S T I A A N T I C A
From Wikipedia
Ostia Antica was the harbour of ancient Rome and perhaps its first colony.
It is noted for the excellent state of preservation of its ancient buildings, and for magnificent frescoes.
Located at the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was said to have been founded by Ancus Marcius, the
fourth king of Rome, in the 7th century BC. A later inscription refers to the event:
"Ancus Marcius, the fourth of the kings from Romulus after the founding of the city [Rome] founded this
first colony."
However the most ancient archaeological remains so far discovered are no older than the 4th century BC.
The most ancient buildings currently visible are from the 3rd century BC, notably the Castrum (military
camp); 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 urbanisation during the period of the Middle Republic.
Although Ostia was probably founded for the sole purpose of military defense — since hostile armies could eventually reach Rome by water through the mouth of the Tiber River — in time the port became a very
important commercial harbor.
Ostia was a large town, about three times larger than Pompeii.
Many of the goods that Rome received from its colonies and provinces passed through Ostia, including the essential grain supply to the city of Rome. In this role, Ostia soon replaced Puteoli (now Pozzuoli, Campania),
a port near Naples.
In 87 BC, the town was razed by Gaius Marius.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostia_Antica
