Like the Porta Praenestina, the Porta Tiburtina was originally an arch built under Emperor Augustus at the point where there aqueducts, the Aqua Marcia, Aqua Julia, and Aqua Tepula passed over the Via Tiburtina. During the construction of the Aurelian Walls by Emperor Aurelian from 270 to 275, the arch was incorporated as a gate for the walls to mitigate the cost in time and money.