Ostia, Origins through Empire

Ostia was a city in the Roman Empire located on the west coast of Italy, approximately 25 kilometers west of Rome. Ostia acted as one of the original maritime gateways to Rome, and its strategic location at the mouth of the Tiber River, along the coast, and at the junction of pre-Roman movement corridors ensured it maintained this prominent role for nearly a millennium. From roughly the 3rd century bce to the 6th century ce the city continually changed its appearance, composition, and ground level. Due to its intimate connection with Rome, and coupled with this longevity of occupation, Ostia has played a prominent role in understanding Roman material culture. Given the nearly 150 years of excavation and study of the site, there is a vast bibliography relating to virtually all aspects of Roman life, from high philosophy to toilets (and toilet philosophers), and from mosaics to urban planning. The excavation of the site itself in the 19th and 20th centuries offers a mirror to the contemporary history and politics of Italy, as well as shedding light on the development of archaeological methods and theories of the ancient Mediterranean world. Specialist conferences occur every few years, with dedicated research into specific topics published in numerous languages almost constantly. However, some works from the mid- to late 20th century have been included as they remain relevant to Ostian studies. The works presented below do not aim to be exhaustive but offer points of departure to begin researching certain aspects of the city.