OSTIA, OSTIUM TIBF:RIIN1JI, the name of the former port of Rome, situated at the southern mouth of thy Tiber, is 16 miles from the capital. The ancient town of Ostia, which was situated below the fork of the river, spread in a semicircular form along a bend made by the left or southern branch, on a piece of ground slightly elevated above the surrounding sand and marshes. Ostia was founded by Ancus Martins, according to Strabo. Under the Roman empire it was a large town, but the site is now marked by mere shapeless manes of ruins. Ostia was destroyed by the Saracens in the 5th century, and has since then remained in a ruined state. The present tows was founded by Pope Gregory IV., A.D. 830, at the distance of more than a mile from the ancient city. Under Pope Leo IV. it became famous for the defeat of the Saracens. In the 14th century it was occupied by Ladislaus, king of Naples. The fortifications were restored by Pope Martin V. The present castle was built by Cardinal della Revere. The French, who had seized it, were defeated in 1494 by the Cardinal, afterwards Julius 1i., whose trophies are still in the cathedraL There are now about 100 inhabitants at Ostia in winter, aid about 10 in summer. There is a small cathedral in good taste,
a bishop's palace, and a few other habitable buildings. The castle of ostin consists of massive semicircular towers, united by a curtain mid surrounded by a ditch. The episcopal palace has been recently converted into a museum of antiquities by cardinal Paces. Ostia has given title to a bishop since Apostolic times. The bishop of Ostia is always a cardinal, and be has the privilege of consecrating the Pope after his election. The see has been united to that of Velletri since 1150. Of the remains of ancient Ostia the most interesting are the mins of an ancient temple and of a theatre ; in the arena of the latter many early Christians suffered martyrdom. A great number of fine statues, busts, and sarcophagi were discovered among the ruins of the ancient city by excavations made within the century. The mouth of the Tiber is now three miles distant fron the present town. (Gell, Topography of Rome and its Vicinity.)