The
present study explores the role of water in the ancient Roman city of Ostia.In
antiquity, Ostia was situated at the intersection of the Tiber River and the
Mediterranean Sea, and acted as one of the harbour cities of Rome for several
centuries.This study investigates how water was acquired, used, and drained
away in Ostia, and how these systems changed over time. To achieve a high level
of resolution, three city blocks (insulae), were selected as case studies: III,
i; IV, ii; and V, ii.to contextualize these hydraulic systems, the present
study developed a new methodology, the Roman Water Footprint. The method was
inspired by 21st century ways of understanding how and why water is used in
modern cities. These modern insights have indicated that sustainable water
usage is based not only on advanced hydraulic technology, but also includes
environmental factors, and a strong cultural factor.The results of the study
indicate that Roman water usage was much more diverse and flexible than has
been previously appreciated.By placing Roman water systems into dialogue with
the methodologies of modern sustainable water research, this study forms an
initial bridge between modern and ancient approaches to water and urbanism.Classical & Mediterranean Archaeolog