The first bridge[edit]

The actual construction of Caesar's first bridge took place most likely
between Andernach and Neuwied, downstream ofKoblenz on the Rhine River. Book 4 (Liber
IV) of his commentaries gives technical details of this wooden beam bridge. Double timber
pilings were rammed into the bottom of the river by winching up a large stone and
releasing it, thereby driving the supporting posts (or piling) into the riverbed. The most
upstream and downstream pilings were slanted and secured by a beam, and multiple
segments of these then linked up to form the basis of the bridge. Conflicting models have
been presented based on his description.[1][2] Separate upstream pilings were used as
protective barriers against flotsam and possible attacks while guard towers protected the
entries. The length of the bridge has been estimated to be 140 to 400 m (roughly 460 to
1,300 ft), and its width 7 to 9 m (23 to 30 ft). The depth of the river can reach up to 9.1 m
(30 ft).
The construction of this bridge showed that Julius Caesar, and Rome, could go anywhere, if
only for a few days. Since he had over 40,000 soldiers at his disposal, they built the first
bridge in only 10 days using local lumber. He crossed with his troops over to the eastern
site and burned some villages but found that the tribes of the Sugambri and Suebi had
moved eastward. The tribes had come together and were prepared to meet Caesar's army
in battle, but when Caesar heard of this he quickly left the region taking down the bridge
behind him. He was only in the area for 18 days and without any major battle he returned
to Gaul and cut the bridge down.

The second bridge[edit]

Two years later, close to the site of the first bridge, possibly at
today's Urmitz(near Neuwied), Caesar erected a second bridge, built "in a few days", as
described in Book 6 (Liber VI). His expeditionary forces raided the countryside, but did not
encounter significant opposition as the Suebi retreated. Upon returning to Gaul, the bridge
was again taken down.

Results[edit]
Caesar's strategy was effective, as he was able to secure the eastern border of Gaul. He
demonstrated that Roman power could easily and at will cross the Rhine and henceforth
for several centuries significant Germanic incursions across the Rhine were halted. Further,
his feat served him in establishing his fame at home.
With Roman colonization of the Rhine valley more permanent bridges were built later at
Castra Vetera (Xanten), Colonia Claudia Ara
Agrippinensium (Cologne),Confluentes (Koblenz), and Moguntiacum (Mainz).

Controversies about the location[edit]

Speculation about the location of the bridges is due to the temporary nature of the
construction and the lack of a precise location in Caesar's report. However, diggings in the
Andernach-Neuwied area found residual pilings that are considered to be remnants of
Caesar's bridges. As an alternative site a place south of Bonn has been mentioned.[1]