Hello Steemians !
I have posted the odd picture here and there of my travels, but I thought I would put a group
of them together, and post as a travel blog, with some tips, and pointers.
Only 30 min from Rome is the ancient port town of Ostia Antica. Similar to Pompeii but
less commercial, no crowds and only 30 min from Rome.
Take the Metro in Rome to the Piramide station, when you exit the train go left
and up the stairs and take the Lido train, and get off at Ostia Antica.
The site is open year round from 8:30 am till 4:30, but times
may vary due to season, and is closed on Monday.
Entry is only 8 Euro, and the audio is extra.It is best to purchase the audio tour, the site
is very large and the audio gives a lot of information.
It is easy to spend a half day here, or even an entire day, however you will be in the sun
so sunscreen and a hat are necessary.
A view of the theatre, still used today for the occasional event.
The baths of Neptune, with stunning floor mosaics, underneath would be
the slaves, feeding the fires to keep the water hot.
At the bottom centre is Triton the son of Poseidon, half man, half mermaid.
A sarcophagus, a very common site in Ostia, the city of the dead (cemetery)was next to the city of the living.
The Romans went through different periods, sometimes cremation was popular, other
times burials, and ofcourse wealth and status played a role.
All human reamains have been removed and relocated.
Originally built by Agrippa, this renovated version we see today with the
red brick was built by Commodus (176-192 AD). Seating for 4,000 people.
The red brick was a fired clay brick, a vast improvement over the older sun dried
versions. The new type greatly increased production.
The public latrine was a really interesting sight. The net pattern of brickwork,
which was popular all over the empire is clearly evident here.
It is called opus reticulatum, which is Latin for net like.
The seats themselves are a marble, and the trough running through the room
would have water flowing through it. Often a stick with a sponge at the end was
used to put in the trough to clean it.
Can you imagine sitting there doing your business while chatting about the
days events with a neighbour.
A peek inside an Ostian home. Nice marble walls, mosaic floors, statues.
This is called the house of Cupid and Psyche.
