Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Ostia

Embark on a captivating exploration of Ostia, the ancient port city of Rome, with our carefully curated reading list on this remarkable archaeological site.

Dive into scholarly works by esteemed historians and archaeologists such as Hermansen, Meiggs, and Keay, who illuminate the rich history, vibrant culture, and bustling commerce of Ostia during its heyday. Discover the intricacies of urban planning, commercial activities, and religious practices in this bustling maritime hub, where merchants, sailors, and artisans converged from across the Mediterranean world. Uncover the secrets of Ostia’s well-preserved ruins, from its majestic temples and grand public baths to its labyrinthine streets and intimate insulae. Delve into the latest research on Ostia’s social dynamics, economic networks, and multicultural influences, offering fresh perspectives on life in ancient Rome’s gateway to the sea. Whether you’re an academic researcher, history enthusiast, or curious traveler, our reading list invites you to immerse yourself in the captivating story of Ostia and unravel the mysteries of this extraordinary archaeological treasure trove.

General

  • DeLaine, J., ‘Ostia’ in A companion to Roman Italy, Chichester, 2016, 417-38.
  • Hermansen, G., Ostia: aspects of Roman city life, Edmonton, 1982.
  • Meiggs, R., Roman Ostia, Oxford, 1973.

Further Reading

  • D’Arms, J.H., ‘Notes on Municipal Notables of Imperial Ostia’ in The American Journal of Philology 97, 1976, 387-411.
  • DeLaine, J., ‘The Insula of the paintings at Ostia i.4.2-4: Paradigm for a city in flux’ in Urban society in Roman Italy, London, 1995, 79-106.
  • DeLaine, J., ‘Bricks and mortar: exploring the economics of building techniques at Rome and Ostia’ in Economies Beyond Agriculture in the Classical World, London, 2000, 230-68
  • DeLaine, J., ‘Designing for a market: ‘medianum’ apartments at Ostia’ in Journal of Roman Archaeology 17, 2004, 146-176.
  • DeLaine, J., ‘Housing Roman Ostia’ in Contested spaces: houses and temples in Roman antiquity and the New Testament, Tubingen, 2012, 327-354.
  • Keay, S.L., Rome, Portus and the Mediterranean, London, 2012.
  • Laird, M.L., ‘Reconsidering the So-Called “Sede degli Augustali” at Ostia’ in Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome 45, 2000, 41-84.
  • Packer, J.E., ‘Housing and Population in Imperial Ostia and Rome’ in The Journal of Roman Studies 57, 1967, 80-95.
  • Pavolini, C., ‘A Survey of Excavations and Studies on Ostia (2004–2014)’ in Journal of Roman Studies 106, 2016, 199-236.
  • Storey, G.R., ‘Regionaries-Type Insulae 1: Architectural/Residential Units at Ostia’ in American Journal of Archaeology 105, 2001, 389-401.
  • Terpstra, T.T., ‘The « Piazzale delle Corporazioni » reconsidered’ in Mélanges de l’École française de Rome. Antiquité 126, 2014.
  • Ward-Perkins, J.B., ‘Ostia’ in Roman imperial architecture, London, 1994, 141-56.