Ostia Antica is a large archaeological site that was the ancient Roman port and is situated at the mouth of the Tiber (apparently "os" is the Latin word for "mouth").
The settlement dates from it to the 7th century BC and was an important port for many years - with 50,000 inhabitants in the 2nd century, reaching a peak of some 100,000 inhabitants in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD.
It was crucial for the supply of grain and goods for Rome, and large building works were carried out by emperors Claudius, Tiberius ,Julius Caesar.
It fell into decline in the 400s Ad and was abandoned in the C9th AD.
Today you can see lots of mosaics that show its purpose as a seaport, and there are some remarkably intact buildings.
It is in a wonderful setting with a well organised museum housing objects found at Ostia.
We saw the counters where food was prepared and served, complete with a picture above it of what was on the menu - boiled eggs and vegetables
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