PORTA ARDEATINA
assumed to be the gate through which the
VIA ARDEATINA (q.v.) passed, although such a gate is nowhere mentioned in ancient
or mediaeval literature. The most probable line of the road from the
porta Naevia of the Servian wall passes through the part of the wall which
was destroyed by the erection of the bastione di Sangallo in 1538, and there
are indications in the architect's drawings of a small gate at this point.
Whether it was like the other principal gates or merely a postern
(posterula) is uncertain. Poggio says that it had an inscription of Honorius
upon it, but no copy is known (Jord. i. I. 367;
Mitt. 1894, 320-327;
RE ii. 613; T ii. 410-411). See
VIA LAURENTINA.