Exactly who built this particular bridge is unknown, but we do know it was the first to connect the right bank of the Tevere to Isola Tiberina. In ancient times the river had great religious significance and it was considered a breach of divine law to build a bridge across it. The only person who could approve such a project was the High Priest or "Pontifice," which literally translates to "bridge builder"'. How bridge builders eventually acquired the power to divide up the New World is another story.