ANTIUM (mod. Anzio), ancient Volscian city, on the coast of Latium, about 33m. S. of Rome. The legends are fanciful. Antium, Ardrea, and Circeii Lavinium appear as under Roman protection in the treaty with Carthage in 348 B.C. In 341 it lost its independence after rising with Latium against Rome, and the beaks (rostra) of six captured Antiatine ships decorated and gave their name to the orators' tribunal in the Roman forum. From late Republican times wealthy Romans including the Julian and Claudian emperors frequently visited it ; both Caligula and Nero were born there. The latter founded a colony of veterans and built a new harbour, the projecting moles of which are still extant. In the middle ages it was deserted in favour of Nettuno. The har bour was restored at the end of the 17th century, but is fre quently silted up. Remains of Roman villas occur along the shore, both east and north-west of the town, and many of them have tanks for pisciculture. That of Nero is generally placed at the so-called Arco Muto. Many works of art have been found, also the only known example of a Roman calendar previous to the Julian era, painted on a wall. Of the famous temple of Fortune mentioned by Horace no remains are known. The sea is encroach ing slightly at Anzio, but some miles farther north-west the old Roman coast-line now lies slightly inland (see TIBER). The Vol scian city stood on higher ground and was defended by a deep ditch, which can still be traced, and by walls. The modern place is a summer resort and between it and Nettuno, 2 m. to the east, are numerous villas.