The economy is mostly based on agriculture, although, starting from the 1970s, industry has played an increasingly important role.

[3] However, the siege was interrupted by the revolution which resulted in the overthrow of the king and the establishment of the Roman Republic.

After the Roman conquest, Ardea was most often mentioned in connection with the Via Ardeatina, one of the consular roads, to which it gave its name.

During the Second Punic War, it was one of the few cities that refused military support to Rome, and, after the Roman victory, was deprived of its autonomy.

Its castle in 1118 housed Pope Gelasius II and was later contended among various feudal barons of the area.