Horatius Cocles

Publius Horatius Cocles stands as one of the earliest heroes of the Roman Republic, famed for his extraordinary defense of the Pons Sublicius bridge against the invading Etruscan forces led by King Lars Porsena of Clusium in the late 6th century BCE. This pivotal moment occurred during the conflict between Rome and Clusium, shortly after the establishment of the Roman Republic.