Horatius a legendary Roman hero. His full name was Publius Horatius Codes. Thomas Babington Macaulay tells his story in Lays of Ancient Rome (1842). An invading Etruscan army is advancing on Rome. Its only access to the city is by a wooden bridge across the Tiber River. Horatius and two companions defend the bridge until the Romans can cut it down. Just as it is about to fall, the companions withdraw safely, but Horatius, who is wounded, is left behind. He plunges into the river and swims across to the applause of both friends and foes. The grateful Romans erected a statue in his honor.