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Pont Flavien

Coordinates:43°32′29″N5°02′35″E/ 43.541389°N 5.043056°E/43.541389; 5.043056
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Pont Flavien
The single-arched bridge framed by two triumphal arches
Coordinates43°32′29″N5°02′35″E/ 43.541389°N 5.043056°E/43.541389; 5.043056
CarriesVia Giulia Augusta
CrossesRiver Touloubre
LocaleSaint-Chamas,France
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
MaterialAshlarstone
Total length25 m
Width6 m
Longest span12.3 m
No.of spans1
History
DesignerC. Donnius Flavos
Construction endCa. 12 BC
Location
Map

ThePont Flavien(English:Flavian Bridge) is aRoman bridgeacross theRiver TouloubreinSaint-Chamas,Bouches-du-Rhônedepartment,southern France. The single-arch crossing, which was built fromlimestone,was on aRoman road- theVia Julia Augusta- betweenPlacentia, ItalyandArles.It is the only surviving example of a Roman bridge bounded bytriumphal archesfrom theAugustanperiod, although similar bridges probably existed elsewhere, as indicated by portrayals on coins of the late 1st century BC.[1]

Origins and design

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Side view of the Pont Flavien

The bridge probably replaced an earlier wooden structure on the same site.[2]It measures 21.4 metres (70 ft) long by 6.2 metres (20 ft) wide.[3]The two arches at either end, each standing 7 metres (23 ft) high[3]with a single wide bay, are constructed of the same local stone as the bridge and are broader than they are tall.[1]At the corners of the arches are flutedCorinthianpilastersat the top of which are carved eagles.Acanthusscrolls extend partway along the frieze,[4]in the middle of which is an inscription that reads:

The inscription on the Pont Flavien
L·DONNIVS·C·F·FLAVOS·FLAMEN·ROMAE
ET·AVGVSTI·TESTAMENTO·FIEREI·IVSSIT
ARBITRATV·C·DONNEI·VENAE·ET·C·ATTEI·RVFEI[5][6]

In translation, this means:

Lucius Donnius, son of Caius, Flavos,flamen[priest] of Rome and Augustus, has ordained in his will that [this monument] be built under the direction of Cauis Donnius Vena and Caius Attius Rufius.[7]

Lucius Donnius Flavos was evidently a figure of some importance and probably owned land in the vicinity of the bridge. He was a RomanisedGaulwho is likely to have been an aristocrat of theAvatici,a local Gallic tribe. He was probably also a significant player in the affairs of the nearby city of Arelate (Arles), as he served theimperial cult,most likely in one of the city's temples. He may have built his mausoleum nearby, though its location remains unknown.[7]

As the inscription indicates, the bridge was constructed at Flavos' instigation following his death. Its stylistic elements are typical of funerary monuments. Thefriezeof the arches decorated with a wave pattern symbolises the constant rebirth of life. The eagles carved above the capitals and the pairs of free-standing lions atop the arches are also common features of tombs and, in the case of the lions, were popular inProvencein the latter part of the first century BC. The combination of arches and a bridge may have been intended to symbolise the passage of life.[7]Because the Pont Flavien was a private monument it did not have the triumphal imagery normally associated with Roman arches and does not bear any portrait of Flavos. He would most likely have been depicted in figure at his tomb but this, assuming it was nearby, has long since disappeared.[4]

In the 20s BC,Marcus Vipsanius Agrippacarried out a programme of road building in Provence on behalf of the EmperorAugustus,constructing theVia Julia Augusta.This would have given Flavos an opportunity to make his mark in a highly visible way, proclaiming his dedication to Roman values and highlighting the importance of his own personage. Considering also the likely date of the stylistic elements, the Pont Flavien was most likely built some time between 20 and 10 BC.[7]

Subsequent usage and restoration

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One of the stone lions on top of the Pont Flavien's arches

The bridge was heavily used until as late as the latter part of the 20th century. It has suffered a great deal of wear and tear and accidental damage over the years; by the end of Antiquity the roadway had become so rutted by constant cart traffic that it had been worn right through, exposing the arch stones. It has been repeatedly resurfaced to prevent the collapse of the bridge and the parapet has also been replaced.[2]The bridge was a traditional stopping point for theCompagnons du Tour de France,journeyman masons who underwent a tour of notable monuments around the country and who left their graffiti (including signatures and symbols including horseshoes and a phallus) on the bridge.[8]

The western arch has collapsed at least twice; the first time was in the 18th century, destroying the stone lions on top of the arch. It was rebuilt in 1763 by Jean Chastel, who also restored the sculptures[9](the only surviving original lion is on the right-hand side of the eastern arch). The second collapse was during the Second World War, when the arch was first damaged when a German tank collided with it, then collapsed when an American truck hit it in 1945. It was rebuilt in 1949 and some years later a modern bridge was built 50 metres (160 ft) to the south to bypass it. The Pont Flavien is now reserved for pedestrian use only.[2]In 1977, prior to the landscaping of the surrounding area, an archaeological excavation was carried out by the Antiquités Historiques de Provence under the direction of Anne Roth Congés.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abKleiner 1985,p. 42.
  2. ^abcBromwich 1996,p. 200.
  3. ^abBernard 1860,p. 161.
  4. ^abKleiner 1985,p. 43.
  5. ^CILXII, 647
  6. ^Galliazzo 1994,p. 249.
  7. ^abcdBromwich 1996,p. 201.
  8. ^abPrade 1986,p. 109.
  9. ^Rivet 1988,p. 205.

Bibliography

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  • Bernard, Fréderic (1860).De Lyon à la Méditerranée.Hachette.
  • Bromwich, James (1996).The Roman Remains of Southern France: A Guidebook.Routledge.ISBN9780415143585.
  • Galliazzo, Vittorio (1994).I ponti romani. Catalogo generale.Vol. 2. Treviso: Edizioni Canova.ISBN88-85066-66-6.
  • Kleiner, Fred S. (1985).The arch of Nero in Rome: a study of the Roman honorary arch before and under Nero.G. Bretschneider.ISBN9788876890949.
  • Prade, Marcel (1986).Les ponts, monuments historiques: inventaire, description, histoire des ponts et ponts-aqueducs de France, protégés au titre des monuments historiques.Brissaud.ISBN9782902170548.
  • Rivet, A. L. F.(1988).Gallia Narbonensis: With a Chapter on Alpes Maritimae: Southern France in Roman Times.Batsford.ISBN978-0-7134-5860-2.
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