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Portus

Portus or Portus Romanus was an ancient port of the classical city of Rome, erected by order of Emperor Claudius in the year 46. It was built near the mouth of the river Tiber, on the right bank of the river, despite the fact that, according to classical sources, the experts of the time advised against this location since this area was frequently covered with sand.

Origin and evolution

Portus at the Peutingerian Tabula.

The new port was to replace the previous river port of Ostia, located on the left bank of the Tiber opposite Portus, and which ended up being practically unusable for deep-draft ships due to the accumulation of debris deposited over time at the mouth of the Tiber. Therefore, a new port complex was necessary to ensure Rome's supply of both food products (wheat, oil, etc.) and construction materials (rare and expensive stones and marbles used to enrich and adorn the imperial capital) or items luxury, which went up the Tiber river to Porta Portese.

The port was made up of two piers that formed a semicircle, inside which was an imposing lighthouse built with the hull of the ship that transported from Egypt the obelisk destined for the Circus of Nero on Vatican Hill.
The later development of the port was favored by the emperor Trajan, who in the year 112 AD. C. ordered to repair the work begun by Claudio, by then already covered with sand as the experts had predicted. In this way, a new hexagonal basin was built, connected to the port of Claudio by a channel located to the southwest of the new port. The system of canalizations carried out during the reign of Claudius ensured the fluvial connection with Rome through a second canal that linked the port with the Tiber river, known as Fossa Traianea, at the same time that it was also possible to reach the capital by the land route that was the Via Portuense.

Portus's fluvial scale became increasingly important over time, reaching complete political and administrative autonomy during the reign of Constantine I the Great (313-314). The new name of Civitas Flavia Costantiniana Portuensis in honor of the emperor also dates from this period, although the city continued to retain its common name of Portus Romae or Portus Urbis.

Due to its important strategic position, the port suffered numerous raids in the 6th century during the time of the Germanic invasions, and later, raids by the Arabs in the 9th century.

News

Reconstruction of the port of Ostia with the hexagonal dársena of Trajano and the old port built by Claudio.

The archaeological park of the current town of Fiumicino is one of the most interesting in the surroundings of the Roman capital, and its remains reflect the image of the ancient city of Portus. Thanks to the numerous excavation campaigns carried out over the years, it has been possible to reconstruct the activity of this ancient port city at the service of Rome, a fundamental place also in modern times as evidenced by its election as episcopate. An interesting wall has been preserved, and also a vast necropolis near which are the remains of the Temple of Portunno, located on the eastern border of the city, in the direction of Via Portuense.

It is also worth noting the Ship Museum, where the structure of some boats found during the excavations is preserved, and also what remains of the city planning that testifies to the continuity of its tradition, such as the building of the Episcopate, recently restored.