Rome history: Orazio Coclite and Sublicio bridge, 508 AC
That of Orazio Coclite is the first of the three legends linked to the presence of the Etruscan King Porsenna in Rome (Orazio Coclite, Caio Muzio Scevola, the young Clelia).
The Roman historian Titus Livius (1st century BC) says that in 508 BC the Romans faced a fierce attack by the Etruscans of Chiusi, led by King Porsenna who wanted to conquer Rome after the expulsion of the 7th king, Tarquinius the Superb.
When the Etruscan soldiers arrived on the Tiber, to cross and enter Rome, Orazio Coclite and his companions decided to break down the Sublicio bridge, which gave access to the city.
While the bridge was collapsing, Orazio ordered his people to flee and take shelter inside the walls.
He remained to fight alone and stopped the advance of the Etruscan army. Then he got to safety too, diving into the Tiber with all his armor.
He swam to the shore between the shouts of exultation of his companions; he received great honors and rewards for what he had done.
The Sublicio bridge over the Tiber river was the oldest bridge in Rome.
The Roman historian Tito Livio says that it was the fourth king of Rome, Anco Marzio, who built the Sublicio bridge between 640 and 616 BC. It was built with hardwood beams, called “subliciae“, from which it took its name.
Today no trace of that bridge remains, the one we see today was built between 1914 and 1917 on a project by architect Marcello Piacentini.
Currently it connects Aventino and Testaccio on one side with Trastevere on the other side.
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