This town (in Spain) was built by the Moors, who gave it the name it
bears; which, in the Moorish language, signifies a bridge; and this
bridge shows that the original city belonged to the Romans in the time
of Trajan; for on one of the arches is this inscription:--
IMP. CAESARI, D. NERVAE, F.
NERVAE. TRAIANO. AVG.
GERM. DACICO.
PONT. MAX. TRIB. POTEST. VIII.
IMP. VI. COS. V. P.P.
Formerly there were four pieces of marble, fixed in the walls of the
bridge; in each of which there was an inscription, containing the names
of the several towns and districts, that contributed towards the expense
of making it. Three of these marbles are lost; but the fourth remains,
and bears the following inscription:--
MVNICIPIA.
PROVINCIAE. LVSITAN.
STIPE. CONFLATA.
QVAE. OPVS.
PONTIS. PERFECERVNT.
IGAEDITANI
LANCIENSES. OPIDANI.
TALORI.
INTERAMNIENSES.
COLARNI.
LAOCIENSES. TRANSCVDANI.
ARAVI.
MEIDVBRIGENSES.
ARABRIGENSES.
BANIENSES.
PAESVRES.
At the entrance of the bridge there is a small temple, cut in the rock,
by the same person that built the bridge. The roof of this temple
consists of two large stones. In the temple there is an inscription to
the following effect:--"_It is reasonable to imagine, that every one,
that passes this way, would be glad to know the name of the person that
built this bridge and temple; and with what intent they were made, by
cutting into this rock of the Tagus, full of the majesty of the Gods,
and of Cæsar, and where art showed itself superior to the tough and
stubborn matter that resisted her. Know, then, that it was that noble
architect Lacer, who built this bridge, which will last as long as the
world. Lacer, having finished this noble bridge, made and dedicated this
new temple, with sacrifices, to the gods, in hopes of rendering them
propitious to him, for having honoured them after this manner. This
temple he dedicated to the gods of Rome, and to Cæsar; looking upon
himself to have been extremely fortunate, in having been able to make so
just and proper a sacrifice._[10]"