Ostia Antica

Right after we left Rome, we drove 30 kilometers to Ostia Antica, the ruins of the Roman port city, Ostia. Dating to the early fourth century B.C., the ruins inspired wonder and amazement in me. Almost all of the buildings' marble has either crumbled away or been stolen, leaving just the brick walls, roofs, and mosaic floors. 

Upon arrival, we went through the front gates and emerged into a different world. In front of us stretched a long, straight, uneven cobblestone road. On either side of the road were the ruins, fanning out in all directions. As we explored, it became evident that this was no small village. The network of ruins stretched on and on, with each step, my excitement mounting. Left and right, columns and buildings added to my image of crumbling ruins. As I thoughtfully inspected a mosaic floor in the baths of Neptune, I reminded myself that this, like most other buildings, was eight to ten times as old as the Unites States.

 Some of the first buildings we saw are in the background.

 Old steps led up to this great vantage point, where Daddy now stands.

There were many of these arches, clearly in the Roman style.

I found it hard to get my head around what Ostia actually looked like two thousand years ago when it was an inhabited port city. But thanks to the book Mama purchased at the entrance, that problem was solved. The book gives a picture of the ruin, then an overlay illustration of what it might have looked like in the time of the Romans. Being able to imagine what it looked like transformed our experience of Ostia Antica.

 Here is a photo in the book.

 Here is the illustration, showing what the ruin above might have looked like.

Here is Mama walking down the same road displayed in the photos from the book above.

 We are standing on the stage of an amphitheater.

We liked this mosaic of a lighthouse and merchant ships

 This mosaic floor is from the baths of the port marina, on the far edge of town.

 This is a grain mill that grinds flour. It will not smile at the camera. What a grump.

 This picture was taken on the second floor(now the roof) of a tall building, presumably a palace.

 In the museum, there were all types of statues, excavated from the ruins, too fragile to leave in their original homes. It was fun to see this statue, which we recognized immediately as Mithra, sacrificing a bull. We knew the story from reading about Roman mythology.

Our morning in Ostia Antica was a huge hit, despite the cold, drizzly rain. I am fascinated by the Romans and being able to see into Roman life has inspired a deep indescribable wonder of sorts. Even now, I smile when I think about exploring Ostia Antica. –JackRabbit