The next morning we left Rome and headed for its old port city, Ostia.  Seems Ostia was buried by Tiber floodwater about 2,000 years ago, and back in the 1930's Mussolini dug it up.  It's not as well-preserved as Pompeii, but still it was fun to poke around the place.  That's Stefano again, still a fine guide; still uninterested in questions.

Margia contemplates Ostia.

A mosaic in the road.  It's an advertisement for the House of Fortunatus, a local wine shop.  It says, "Thirsty?  Drink."

2,000 years ago this was a thriving city.

Stefano discusses road signs in ancient Ostia.

Bi?  Be.

There once was a temple here.

A plaque, commemorating the dedication of an amphitheater.

The amphitheater.

Pretty good acoustics, actually.

Workmen were preparing the stage for a performance.

Part of what's left of Ostia.

The nosebleed section.

Stefano could become quite animated when describing Roman baths.

The public potty.

Stefano discusses the finer points of using a public potty in the time of the Caesars.

About 2,000 years ago, this was a restaurant. 

Well, of course it was.  And it would be perfectly functional today.

Stefano said they served fish that they'd soaked in vinegar and allowed to rot in the sun for a few days.  Yum, yum.  Italian food.

Looks like Ostia has done a little rotting in the sun itself.

This was a mosaic in the floor of the Neptune baths.

What's left of the Neptune baths.