Ostia, Pompeii and Leptis Magna

Revision as of 10:00, 4 February 2013

Introduction

Ostia is, or was, located on the mouth of the River Tiber to the west of Rome.

Leptis Magna was located on the Mediterranean in modern day Libya

Origins

Pompeii – Settled by the Samnites and after it was conquered by Rome in 2nd C BC the spoils went to the Romans and the Samnites were expelled. Leptis Magna – Settled by the Phoenicians and conquered by Rome in 46BC Ostia – Some contradictory evidence of settlements going back to the 5th BC or earlier but becomes known as a port town sometime around in the 3rd C BC

Development of Town

Pompeii – Prosperity came from Agriculture (helped by the fertile lands around Vesuvius), its proximity to the busy port of Naples and settled by somewhat wealthy families moving down from Rome. There are plenty of shops, eateries, theaters (for games and plays), bath-houses, forum and shrines to the Gods. Two story buildings were common place and increasing Greek influence (fashion) on architecture as the town becomes more prosperous. Town covers a square mile or more. Not overly fortified.

Ostia – Prosperity comes from its proximity to Rome and being a port used for the salve trade amongst other commodities. Evidence of craftsmen and guilds. Plenty of eateries, temples and shrines and well-appointed apartments. Somewhat more fortified given propensity for pirates and other marauders to attack the town. From the pictures, architecture looks uniformly Roman style. Town is small – about 50 hectares.

Leptis Magna – Prosperity came from being a major garrison town and export trade, especially wild animals destined for the Coliseum in Rome, etc. Town also had a major benefactor, Emperor Septimus Severus, who being born here, diverted funds for the building of a lavish forum and magnificent docks (300 ship capacity) to rival Rome, Carthage and Alexandria. Consequently, more public and commercial buildings, greater fortifications and perhaps less emphasis as a town for aristocratic families.

Decline and later

Pompeii – Sudden and dramatic. Previous earthquake 15 years earlier had caused extensive damage and town had been largely rebuilt and improved upon. Eruption of ash caused heavy layer of ash to destroy roofs and second story floors so few tall standing structures survive. Immense heat also destroyed paintings and mosaics. Town was mostly submerged and evidence that treasure hunting and excavating of materials for reuse for in buildings in other towns took place over the centuries

Ostia- Slow decline. When hand in hand with political and military decline in Rome. Lost prominence as a port but got a second life as a location for wealthy families to build houses way from Rome. Occasional earthquakes and sacking from pirates and then then changing course of the Tiber lead to its demise and was buried under silt. More evidence of treasure hunting and reuse of materials especially its famed marble over the centuries.

Leptis Magna – Declined precipitously during the 3rd C when trade from and to the port dried up and by the 4th C many parts of the city were abandoned. Later Vandals entered the city and had many major walls demolished. Town slowly buried under sand meaning that many of the strongly built tall structures survive

References

http://www.ostia-antica.org/ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/183 Nicolas Purcell - Roman Ostia Revisited

It is referenced in the following articles