Roman phase
Roman aqueduct
Oria had an important and role under the roman dominium.
The city, being a part of roman empire since 272 b.C like every other city from the messapica area, in 88 b.C. was made “municipio romano’’. This title is a privilege only reserved for a few roman cities, which thank for that the city can maintain a major power within the other cities by being able to stamp their own money.
Their coins represent gods and characters from cities in a way that couldn’t be found in the other municipio romano cities. The importance of the cities is reinforced also by the presence of the ”via Appia”, the most important road in the roman empire. The legend says that San Pietro walk thru the city in 44 a.C preaching the gospel. Oria have one of the most ancient Christianity community.