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Porta Marina or the Sea Gate was built in the second century BC.
Porta Marina or Sea Gate gets its name due to its proximity to the
sea coast. In antiquity, Pompeii stood on the shores of the
Mediterranean. The south and south-west side of the city gates were
washed by the sea. After the eruption, the coast quickly advanced
far from the walls of the city. Subsequent eruptions further
extended the shoreline. The Sea gate was at the western end of the
ancient Pompeii. To the right are the massive ramparts erected for
the Temple of Venus, and to the left
are the luxurious houses of the local nobility.
The stones
for the construction of the Porta Marina were brought from the city
of Sarno. The gate consists of two arches. That arch, which was
smaller was designed for pedestrians, and the larger arch was made
for carts and horses. Traces of heavy carts are still visible on the
stones of Pompeii. The lower parts of the Porta Marina are built of
huge stones that are different from the smaller layers on them.
These stones are traces of old Samnite structures (4-2 centuries
BC), and the upper tiers were rebuilt under Roman rule. Outside the
Porta Marina is a warehouse complex. By the presence of such
buildings it becomes apparent that the Romans were not much worried
about the invading enemy. first, the warehouses were located outside
the city, and secondly, the presence of these warehouses made the
walls of Pompeii vulnerable to enemies. Their height made it easy to
climb the walls of the city in case of an attack. If Pompeii
survived until the Dark Ages these warehouses, baths, residencies
around the Pompeii city walls would be
demolished.