Theatre of Ostia Antica

Once situated at the mouth of the Tiber, Ostia was the harbour city of ancient Rome.

Legend has it that Ostia was founded in 7th century BC although the oldest remains discovered at the site only date back to 4the century BC.

In 68BC the town was sacked by pirates who set fire to the harbour. Such panic was raised in Rome that Pompey Magnus raised an army to destroy them, which he did inside of a year.

Ostia prospered under Imperial rule when a succession of Emperors ordered continuing development of the town. At it's peak somewhere in the 2nd - 3rd century AD the town had grown to a population of some 75,000 inhabitants.

A slow deterioration of the town began as it ceased to be an active port and more a country retreat for wealthy aristocrats from Rome towards the late Roman period and with the end of the Empire, Ostia slowly fell into decay and was finally abandoned in the 9th century AD due to repeated invasions and sackings from Arab pirates.