Last Impressions of Ostia Antica...(but there was so much more)

Example of the use of the arch structure, filled in, for added strength; as we saw at the Pantheon a few days before.

I love these glimpses we get of what street scenes in Ancient Times may have appeared, in part.

We are reminded constantly that we cannot go back in time, we cannot know what it was like, see what they saw; but surely the sky and landscape surrounding the towns and villages were similar, the atmosphere. 

Who worked, sat, slept, lived or died in these spaces?

A few months ago, I read a book ("Surprised by Joy" by C. S. Lewis ); my understanding was pitifully inadequate (I am leaving my post as written to show how shallow I can be, sometimes. Not always, but sometimes.

The visit to Italy has helped me understand what Lewis meant by his "Joy"-- a wonderful, unattainable longing. As a younger person, his "sublime unattainable" was for "all things Norse": cold sea air, Vikings, Norse legends, etc. 

Anyway, wandering the foundations and dust and bricks of their Ancient Port Town--(a logistical center, like their version of an Amazon, FedEx, Walmart-Hub!)--makes them feel closer? And very far away all at the same time.

Ostia Antica: The Antiquities Museum

One of my favorite images from the entire experience.

Sky lights enhanced the presentation of the relics in this museum.

I wish these statues were not damaged so badly.

A Happy Child

And, alas, a Sad Child

As lovely and impressive as the statuary halls were, after 3 or 4 in a few short days, we were "museumed out"; though I took enough photos that I can enjoy the images at my leisure.

A Few More Bricks at Ostia Antica. Then we will go to the Museum.

Could those horizontal lines be intentional? Ancient or more modern?

The lettering above is obviously intentional. Who did it, I wonder. And when? It appears carved in the finished surface. I was excited to find this, however.

Interesting composition. Looks "organic". Toothy.

 Deteriorated. Exploring the bricks was fun. And there were millions more to see.

Ostica Antica: Part 2--Bricks Bricks Bricks

Millions of ancient, handmade bricks. I'm sure the Romans builders must have known processes to speed the work; molds, patterns or cutting techniques? But I was fascinated.  I loved the color--a deeper red than these photos appear.

Texture. Really, I was looking for a thumb print or other marks of the Ancient human makers of these bricks.

Uniqueness. Each brick is a creation unto itself.

Some of the bricks appeared more uniform; better quality than others. Like all things people make.

Interesting surface on the one above.  Also, I looked for a scratched-in message. Didn't find any, but didn't look all day; spent a good half-hour examining bricks.

Never meant to be seen: the bricks were meant to be covered with facing stone like marble; long gone.

Like tiny caves in landscape. It's only a matter of scale?

Eventually, I had to stop looking for the Roman Slave "Kilroy" and go on to the Museum.

Often, I am the shallowest of tourists: ask my husband; all I want to do is go find a cup of coffee.
Other times, I obsess over some small detail, important only to me.

Ostia Antica: One of Two Day Trips We Made Out of Rome (Part 1).

A short train ride--perhaps 10 miles from Rome--Ostia Antica is situated at the mouth of the Tiber River at the Mediterranean Sea. For the Ancients, it was the port city for Rome: goods received, counted and repacked for transport by boat into the City. Here's where all that olive oil came in to be shipped to the City; as well as grain and so much more.

During the Dark Ages, Medieval Era, etc., Ostia was mainly deserted and buried in time. Though marble and other precious things were taken or looted for reuse.

The lay out of the brick and stone foundations paints a great outline of the Ancient Port Town.

After a month or more, I find these memories so interesting and--my favorite word: evocative.

All the bricks were hand made in Ancient Time! So many bricks.

Designs and details everywhere you look.  Just wait till we visit the Museum.

Sunrise? with or without skulls.

Niches for burial remains outside the town of Ostia. The Romans didn't put their cemeteries within their towns, I have read.