In Roman mythology, Horatius Cocles (cocles: Latin for "the one-eyed man") was a hero who defended the bridge that led to Rome against the Etruscans by himself. While he did so, the Romans destroyed the bridge; when they were done he swam to safety on the Roman side (according to Livy), or was drowned in the Tiber (according to Polybius). The legend probably arose on account of a statue of the deformed Vulcan that stood near the Vatican Hill. The story is retold in Horatius at the Bridge by Lord McCauley, a poem of vast popularity in the late Nineteenth century.
Horatius Cocles: legendary Roman hero, defended the bridge across the Tiber when the city was attacked by the Etruscans.
Then Cocles said, "Tiberinus, holy father, I pray thee to receive into thy propitious stream these arms and this thy warrior." So, fully armed, he leaped into the Tiber, and though many missiles fell over him he swam across in safety to his friends: an act of daring more famous than credible with posterity.
The State showed its gratitude for such courage; his statue was set up in the Comitium [2], and as much land given to him as he could drive the plough round in one day.
Cocles remained in M. Morrel's service, and a most singular change had taken place in his position; he had at the same time risen to the rank of cashier, and sunk to the rank of a servant.
Cocles had seen them go without thinking of inquiring the cause of their departure.
Cocles went away perfectly happy, for this eulogium of M. Morrel, himself the pearl of the honest men of Marseilles, flattered him more than a present of fifty crowns.
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