Marker Logo
THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Ostia Antica in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Latium, Rome, Italy — Central Italy (Tyrrhenian Coast)
 

Cippi di Caninio

L'area a servizio del fiume e il quartiere dei magazzini

⎯⎯⎯
The Boundary Stones of Gaius Caninius

Area serving river/warehouse district

— (Reg. II) —

 
 
Cippi di Caninio / The Boundary Stones of Gaius Caninius Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
1. Cippi di Caninio / The Boundary Stones of Gaius Caninius Marker
Inscription. I cippi in travertino, che prendevano il nome dal pretore Caio Caninio, delimitavano un'area pubblica posta tra il Tevere e il Decumano nel settore orientale della cittΰ, essa era destinata alle attivitΰ di scarico, di trasporto e di stoccaggio delle merci e, pertanto, sottoposta al divieto di edificare costruzioni private. I cippi sono datati a eta tardo-repubblicana, intorno al 140 aC. e testimoniano il potenziamento dello scalo portuale di Ostia, legato alle riforme economiche e sociali del Gracchi. L'innalzamento progressivo del livello della strada e l'occupazione della fascia pubblica da parte dei complessi di epoca imperiale sancirono la definitiva perdita di funzione dei cippi stessi.

The travertine boundary stones that took their name from the praetor Gaius Caninius delimited an area of public land between the Tiber and the Decumanus in the eastern sector of the city. Set aside for the unloading, transportation and storage of goods, a prohibition against the construction of private buildings was in force in the area. The boundary stones date to the late Republican period, around 140 BC, and are evidence of the
Paid Advertisement
Click or scan to see
this page online
enlargement of the port of Ostia in connection with the economic and social reforms of the Gracchi. The gradual raising of the street level and the occupation of this strip of public land by the complexes of the Imperial period led to the boundary stones definitively losing their function.


[Caption next to photo of boundary stone:]
C. Caninius C(ai) f(ilius) p(raetor) urb(anus) de sen(atus) sent(entia) poplic(um) ioudic(avit)

C. Caninio, figlio di Gaio, pretore urbano, per decisione del Senato assegno quest'area all'uso pubblico

C. Caninius, son of Gaius, urban praetor, by decision of the Senate allocated this area for public use

 
Erected by Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & ArchaeologyRoads & VehiclesSettlements & Settlers.
 
Location. 41° 45.423′ N, 12° 17.692′ E. Marker is in Ostia Antica, Lazio (Latium, Rome), in Cittΰ metropolitana di Roma Capitale. It is on Viale dei Romagnoli. The marker is in Ostia Antica Archaeological Park. Touch for map. Marker is
Boundary stones image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
2. Boundary stones
The historical marker is just off camera to the right.
at or near this postal address: Viale dei Romagnoli 717, Ostia Antica, Lazio 00119, Italy. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, the Schengen Area, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boundary Stone of Gaius Caninius (here, next to this marker); L'Area a Servizio del Fiume e Il Quartiere Dei Magazzini / Area Serving River and Warehouse District (within shouting distance of this marker); Magazzini Repubblicani e Caseggiato del Cane Monnus / Republican Warehouses and Cane Monnus Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mura Repubblicane — Porta Romana / Republican Walls — Roman Gate (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Decumano e Rete Viaria / Decamanus and Road Network (about 120 meters away); Tomba degli Archetti / Tomb of the Arches (about 120 meters away); La Necropoli della Via Ostiense / The Via Ostiensis Necropolis (about 180 meters away); Terme di Nettuno / Baths of Neptune (about 180 meters
One of Gaius Caninius's boundary stones image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 5, 2025
3. One of Gaius Caninius's boundary stones
away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ostia Antica.
 
Also see . . .  Travertine Cornerstones in Ostia Antica: Odd Blocks. (Submitted on August 8, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on August 8, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
m=281109

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisement
Aug. 7, 2026