CONCERNING THE CITY'S BRIDGES

original header: "DE URBIS [PONTIBUS]"

The first bridge was built by Ancus Marcius, King of the Romans The fourth king of Rome, traditionally credited with building the Pons Sublicius, the city's oldest bridge. It was later cut down by Horatius Cocles to preserve the freedom of the fatherland Refers to the legendary 6th-century BCE hero who defended the bridge alone against the Etruscan army while his comrades destroyed it behind him. Afterward, Aemilius rebuilt it in stone, from whom it took the name Aemilian. Its ruined remains are seen at the base of the Aventine Hill, in the place commonly called Marmorata The "Marble Wharf," where marble from across the empire was unloaded.

Palatine Bridge

The second bridge was that of the Senators, which was also called the Palatine; today, however, it is called the Bridge of Saint Mary Known today as the Ponte Rotto or "Broken Bridge," having been partially destroyed in the 16th century.

The Island of Jupiter

The third bridge is at the Lycaonian Island of Jupiter Referring to the Tiber Island, which was home to a temple of Jupiter. This is a very ancient bridge, which was formerly called the Tarpeian or the Fabrician. An inscription testifies that Lucius Fabricius, Curator of Roads, oversaw its construction, and that Marcus Lepidus and Marcus Lollius, as Consuls, approved it. Upon the arch of the bridge, above the flowing water, there is an inscription, worn away by time, with these letters:

LUCIUS FABRICIUS, SON OF GAIUS, CURATOR OF ROADS, oversaw the construction. Quintus Lepidus, son of Marcus, and Marcus Lollius, son of Marcus, as Consuls, approved it.

Today, however, it is called the Bridge of the Four Heads Pons Quattro Capi, named for the four-headed statues (herms) that stand on its balustrades. In that same location, there is a Fourth Bridge joined to the aforementioned bridge; it was called the Cestius or Esquiline bridge (according to Publicus Victor). On this bridge, marble tablets, worn by age, are seen with these letters:

Our Lords, the EMPERORS and Caesars: FLAVIUS VALENTINIAN, Pious, Fortunate, and Great, always victorious and triumphant, Augustus, Chief Priest, Greatest Conqueror of the Germans, the Alamanni, and the Franks, holding Tribunician power seven times, acclaimed Emperor six times, Consul twice, Father of his Country.

AND FLAVIUS VALENS, Pious, Fortunate, and Great, always victorious and triumphant, Augustus, Chief Priest, Greatest Conqueror of the Franks and Goths... Valentinian I and Valens were brothers who co-ruled the Roman Empire in the late 4th century CE