Orazio Coclite
To enter Rome it was necessary to cross the river passing on the only bridge the Romans had built: Ponte Sublicio. The soldiers of Porsenna were going to cross it, when among the Romans a young man shouted:- Cut the bridge!-.
It was Orazio Coclite. He advanced alone on the bridge facing the Etruscans with incredible courage, and blocked their way through. Behind him the Romans pulled down the bridge. Suddenly, a crash of broken beams was heard, the bridge collapsed sweeping Orazio and the Etruscan soldiers away.
The Roman was a good swimmer and saved himself reaching the banks of the free Rome. But Porsenna did not withdraw and besieged the town, in the hope that the Romans would surrender to avoid starvation.
