Pont Flavien
| Pont Flavien | |
|---|---|
The single-arched bridge framed by two triumphal arches
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| Coordinates | 43°32′29″N 5°02′35″E / 43.541389°N 5.043056°ECoordinates: 43°32′29″N 5°02′35″E / 43.541389°N 5.043056°E |
| Carries | Via Giulia Augusta |
| Crosses | River Touloubre |
| Locale | Saint-Chamas, France |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Ashlar stone |
| Total length | 25 m |
| Width | 6 m |
| Longest span | 12.3 m |
| No. of spans | 1 |
| History | |
| Designer | C. Donnius Flavos |
| Construction end | Ca. 12 BC |
 Pont Flavien
Location in France
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The Pont Flavien (English: Flavian Bridge) is a Roman bridge across the River Touloubre in Saint-Chamas, Bouches-du-Rhône department, southern France. The single-arch crossing, which was built from limestone, was on a Roman road - the Via Julia Augusta - between Placentia, Italy and Arles. It is the only surviving example of a Roman bridge bounded by triumphal arches from the Augustan period, although similar bridges probably existed elsewhere, as indicated by portrayals on coins of the late 1st century BC.
The bridge probably replaced an earlier wooden structure on the same site. It measures 21.4 metres (70 ft) long by 6.2 metres (20 ft) wide. The two arches at either end, each standing 7 metres (23 ft) high with a single wide bay, are constructed of the same local stone as the bridge and are broader than they are tall. At the corners of the arches are fluted Corinthian pilasters at the top of which are carved eagles. Acanthus scrolls extend partway along the pediments, in the middle of which is an inscription that reads:
In translation, this means:
Lucius Donnius Flavos was evidently a figure of some importance and probably owned land in the vicinity of the bridge. He was a Romanised Gaul who is likely to have been an aristocrat of the Avatici, a local Gallic tribe. He was probably also a significant player in the affairs of the nearby city of Arelate (Arles), as he served the imperial cult, most likely in one of the city's temples. He may have built his mausoleum nearby, though its location remains unknown.
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Wikipedia