90. As early as the third (Lardner's.Credibility of the
Gospel, part ii. vol. iii. p. 89-92), or at least the fourth
century (Carol. a Sancto Paulo, Notit. Eccles. p. 47), the
Port of Rome was an episcopal city, which was demolished, as
it should seem, in the ninth century, by pope Gregory IV.,
during the incursions of the Arabs. It is now reduced to an
inn, a church, and the house or palace of the bishop, who
ranks as one of six cardinal bishops of the Roman church.
See Eschinard, Descrizione di Roma et dell' Agro Romano, p.
328.