The Roman Emperors and Ostia

Abstract Ch. XI studies the impact of imperial policy in Ostia. The role of the emperor as a cohesive force in the Roman Empire is well known. If the Roman emperors are sometimes seen as mainly reactive, when it comes to Ostia, the reigns of Claudius (41–54) and Trajan (98–117) demonstrate a high level of initiative and the implementation of a specific imperial policy. The first deep-water harbour on Ostian soil was built under Claudius, and the interior hexagonal basin, built by Trajan’s order, completed the harbour zone (Portus), which could now handle the Alexandrian grain fleet and any shipment needed for Rome. The Ostians participated in the usual activities showing imperial loyalty (raising statues, dedications), including appointing priests (flamines) for the cult of deified past emperors. At Ostia, flamines are known neither for Divus Claudius nor for Divus Trajan, contrary to the situation in other towns in Italy. Was there lingering resentment with the infringement of Ostian autonomy when the harbours were built? Emperors from Hadrian to Septimius Severus continued to show an interest in Ostia, funding public buildings both in the town centre and the port district. Proof of this are the many inscriptions showing imperial procurators in action; their presence always indicates an influx of imperial funds. Statues were raised in large numbers as praise for imperial procurators, especially those involved in the grain import. In contrast, external curatores rei publicae, common elsewhere, appear late in Ostia, since the local economy was long in good shape.