PONS

( γέφυρα ), a bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; we also know that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but the only existing specimen of a Greek bridge is the one over a tributary of the Eurotas. The Romans regularly applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the pa age-way in a Roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road ( via ) leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. The centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter ; and the raised footpaths on each side decursoria , which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica. There were eight bridges acro the Tiber. I. Of these the most celebrated, as well as the most ancient, was the Pons Sublicius , so called because it was built of wood; sublices , in the language of the Form i an i, meaning wooden beams. It was built by Ancus Martius, when he united the Janiculum to the city, and was situated at the foot of the Aventine.—II. Pons Pal at in us formed the communication between the Palatine and its vicinities and the Janiculum.—III. IV. Pons Fabric i us and Pons Cestius were the two which connected the Insula Tiberina with the opposite sides of the river; the first with the city, and the latter with the Janiculum. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill302a.jpg: Pons Cestius, and Pons Fabric i us, at Rome, with the buildings between restored. Both are still remaining. They are represented in the preceding woodcut: that on the right hand is the pons Fabric i us, and that on the left the pons Cestius.—V. Pons Janiculensis , which led direct to the Janiculum.—VI. Pons Vatican us , so called because it formed the communication between the Campus Martius and Campus Vatican us.— IMG:6459379820872971714_ill302b.jpg: Pons Aelius at Rome.