Milvian Bridge | Bridges of Ancient Rome

The Milvian Bridge or Pons Milvius is one of the ten Bridges of Ancient Rome that cross the river Tiber in Rome. It is still standing today.
The Via Flaminia ran in a straight line from the Porta Flaminia in the Piazza del Popolo, across the Milvian Bridge to Rimini.

The firs bridge was built in timber by the Consul Gaius Claudius Nero in 206 BCE.
It was then rebuilt in stone in 109 BCE by the Censor Marcus Aemilius Scaurus.
Two historical events occurred at this bridge, the interception of the conspirators letters in 63 BCE during the Catiline Conspiracy, and the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE between Constantine I and Maxentius.

A Delegation to Rome from the Allobriges from Vienne in Gallia Transalpina, was promised independence from their Governor by the Catiline Conspirators. They received letters from the Conspirators confirming their support.
At this bridge in 63 BCE, these letters were intercepted and seized as they left Rome, and given to Cicero. The next day, he read them out in the Roman Senate as proof of the Conspiracy. The Conspirators were executed the same day in the Mamertine Prison.

The bridge was the site of the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 CE where Constantine I defeated Maxentius and went on to become the sole Emperor of Rome.
Constantine I had a vision in which he was told to put the sign of the Cross on his shields.
After this victory, Constantine passed the Edict of Milan in 313 CE, ending the Diocletianic Persecution and tolerating Christianity.
He built the Arch of Constantine to celebrate this victory in 315 CE.

Milvian Bridge