Formia is a city and comune in the province of Latina, on the Mediterranean coast of Lazio, Italy. It is located halfway between Rome and Naples, and lies on the Roman-era Appian Way. It has a population of 38,095. History The city of Formia was originated by the Italic population of the Aurunci. It appeared for the first time in history in 338 BC, when, during the Latin Wars, it received the Civitas sine suffragio, together with the city of Fondi. Throughout antiquity, the city of Caieta was also part of the Formian territory. In the Roman Republic era it was called Formiae (derived from Hormia or Ormiai, for its excellent landing). It was a renowned resort during the imperial era and Horace calls it "the city of the Mamurrae" as the rich and noble equestrian family of Mamurra had stong interests there, including the villa-estate nearby at Gianola which can still be seen. Cicero also had a villa there and he was assassinated on the Appian Way just outside the town in 43 BC, and his tomb remains a minor tourist destination. The city was also the seat of St. Erasmus's martyrdom, by being disemboweled around 303 AD, during the persecutions of Diocletian. St. Erasmus later also became known as Saint Elmo the patron saint of sailors. Paulinus of Nola and Therasia stopped at Formiae on their journey back to Nola after visiting Rome, Easter 408. There they read Augustine's letter 95 addressed to them. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city was sacked by barbarians and the population moved to two distinct burghs on the nearby hill, which were under the rule of Gaeta. Charles II of Anjou built a fortress in the maritime burgh, Mola di Gaeta. The other burgh was known as Castellone, from the castle erected there in the mid-14th century by Onorato I Caetani, count of Fondi. The two villages were united again in 1863 under the name of Formia. The reunited city was badly damaged in 1943–44 in bombing operations and the Battle of Anzio. Geography Formia lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in southern Lazio, close to the town of Gaeta and next to the borders of Campania region. The municipality borders with Esperia (FR), Gaeta, Itri, Minturno and Spigno Saturnia. It counts the hamlets (frazioni) of Castellonorato, Gianola-Santo Janni, Marànola, Penitro and Trivio. Main sights The most famous monument