In the early summer of 55 BC Julius Caesar had already begun his conquest of Gaul three years earlier.
At that time the eastern border of the new provinces was located on the Rhine.
But on the other side of the river there were also tribes allied with Rome, like the Ubians.
They offered Caesar ships for the legions to cross the river and attack the Germanic tribes.
The construction system ensured that the greater the flow, the harder the bridge was held together.
It had lasted 18 days.
A scale model of Caesars Rhine Bridge at The Museo Della Civilta Romana in Rome.
Photo:MrJennings/Flickr
Two years later history repeated itself.
Caesar returned to Gaul and again destroyed the bridge.
Photo:Holger Weinandt/Wikimedia Commons
Caesar’s strategy produced the desired effect.
It demonstrated the power of Rome and her ability to cross the Rhine at will at any time.
Thus Julius Caesar secured the borders of Gaul, and for several centuries the Germans refrained from crossing them.
Possible location of Caesars Rhine Bridge.
This article was originally published inLa Brujula Verde.
It has been translated from Spanish and republished with permission.
