High School History Lesson 2.3 "Horatius at the Bridge"

Goals Academic Concept: The student will understand the events that led to the fall of the last evil king of Rome and Horatius’ role in defending Rome. Academic Concept: The Tiber River was a natural defense for Rome. Roman citizens used this natural defense to protect and defend their freedom. Gospel Principle: One person standing for the right can be a powerful force for good. Defending truth may require personal strength and change in our lives.

Scriptures Mosiah 18: 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— D&C 35: 24 Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish;

Map of 12 Etruscan Cities

The Story of Horatius at the Bridge In 509 BC Tarquin the Proud was the last Etruscan king in ancient Rome.  He was cruel and unjust to the Roman people and they revolted against him. King Tarquin was exiled back to the Etruscans and asked them for help in fighting against Rome in order to take all of their riches. The Etruscans agreed and sent an army with Tarquin to fight against and eventually conquer Rome. The army from the city of Clusium marched on Rome and attacked the city. The Roman villagers and farmers were surprised to see the Etruscans advancing toward Rome and fled to the city for protection. One of Rome’s natural defenses was the Tiber River. It is here the story of "Horatius at the Bridge" begins. The Romans knew if they could get their people across the bridges over the Tiber, they would be safe from the Etruscan armies of Tarquin.

Continued… The Roman commanding general had forgotten about the bridges while he was gathering and organizing his army in preparation to fight the Etruscans. On their own, the people of Rome knocked down most of the bridges over the Tiber River. The Etruscan army saw one bridge still standing and rushed towards it. Tarquin ordered his army towards the bridge which was poorly guarded by only a few Roman soldiers. They soldiers were too few to stop the army and feared that if they crossed, the city of Rome would be conquered. One of the soldiers who saw the army approaching was determined to set up a line of defense to stop them. His name was Horatius Cocles because he had lost an eye in a previous battle. Perceiving the danger, Horatius and two other soldiers of noble rank stood shoulder-to-shoulder to block the passage of the enemy who were approaching from a nearby field. Fearing the oncoming army and suffering from the fight, Horatius’ men retreated back on the bridge.

Map of the Bridge

Horatius at the Bridge

Continued… Horatius refused to give up and instructed the other soldiers to destroy the bridge behind him. Horatius was a very skilled soldier and fought against the attack one soldier at a time on the narrow bridge. The Roman soldiers began knocking down the bridge supports and Horatius jumped into the water as he felt the bridge starting to fall in the river. The Etruscans were stopped! Horatius was a hero. Livy, a famous historian, recorded Horatius as saying the following: "Tiberinus, holy father, I pray thee to receive into thy propitious stream these arms and this thy warrior." Horatius was wounded in defending the bridge but crowned with honor as he was carried through the city by a singing crowd of grateful Romans. A bronze statue was erected of him because of his heroic act and he was given as much public land as he could plow in one day with a yoke of oxen. Every citizen of Rome gave him one day’s ration of food.

Horatius at the Bridge Memorial

In Conclusion The famous historian, Polybius saw Horatius as an example of the men who have “devoted themselves to inevitable death ... to save the lives of other citizens. ... he threw himself into the river with his armor, and there lost his life as he had designed." Though Horatius did not perish in the river, the disability he suffered in battle ended his life of military service. He received an honorable discharge.

Reason through… Can you think of some situations you experience today require you to stand for the right? What gives us confidence to be brave in the battles we face? How does knowing we can have the power of God to assist us help each of us in the types of situations we discussed at the beginning of our lesson?

Relate and Discuss Horatius fought with a sword and shield to protect his people. What resources are available to you to protect yourself and others? What kind of protection do you rely on in difficult situations?

Discuss The bridge was Horatius’ only physical support as he fought against those who would destroy Rome. Yet, he knew he had to encourage the other soldiers to destroy the bridge so it could not be crossed by the Romans and Horatius could safely swim to shore. What bridges or “supports” in your life help you to stand strong? What do you do to progress or be brought to safety? How can you help others who stand alone on their bridges? What you can do to be an example for truth and right? How can you encourage others?