The ancient Roman city of Ostia was situated at the mouth of the River Tiber, about 30 km (19 miles) west of Rome. Over the centuries, the coastline gradually shifted seaward as a result of sediment deposition. Today, Ostia Antica lies beside the Tiber, approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) from the present-day coastline.

Founded according to tradition as Rome’s first colony, Ostia initially served as a river port and played an important role in supplying Rome with essential goods, particularly grain. Its strategic importance was also considerable, especially in the early period, when it served as a naval base and helped protect access to the Tiber and the city of Rome.

The name Ostia derives from the Latin ostium, meaning “mouth”, referring to its position at the mouth of the Tiber. As Rome’s population and commercial needs grew, however, Ostia’s port facilities became increasingly inadequate. Under the emperors Claudius and Trajan, a much larger harbour complex was developed further north, at Portus, near present-day Fiumicino. Portus, from the Latin portus, meaning “harbour”, eventually became the principal maritime gateway for Rome.

The extensive archaeological site of Ostia Antica is renowned for the exceptional preservation of its ancient urban fabric. Its streets, apartment buildings, houses, baths, temples, theatres, shops and warehouses, together with remarkable frescoes and mosaics, offer an unusually vivid picture of everyday life in the Roman world.