Ostia (or Ostia Antica) lies 15 km from the city of Rome for which it served as the city's principal port and harbour throughout antiquity. The name derives from 'os' or 'ostium' which means 'mouth' and refers to the city's location at the mouth of the river Tiber. Although originally situated at the mouth of the river, because of silting, it is now some 3 km east of the present river mouth although still located on the south bank of the Tiber.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 620 BCEPosible founding date for Ostia, the port of Rome.
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225 BCE - 150 BCEThe Temple of Hercules is built at Ostia.
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c. 14 CEThe Temple of Rome and Augustus is built at Ostia.
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c. 42 CEExtensive expansion of the Roman port of Ostia is begun with the construction of two giant moles at Portus.
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c. 64 CEThe Roman port of Ostia reaches its maximum size becoming a major urban centre.
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c. 67 CEThe Roman port of Ostia provides a base for operations against the Cilician pirates.
