Rocking　systems　have　proved　to　be　an　attractive　alternative　for　seismic　resilience　under　strong　earthquakes.　In　order　to　investigate　the　seismic　response　and　overturning　of　double-column　rocking　bridge　system　with　viscous　dampers　(VDs),　a　multi-block　analytical　model　considering　additional　VDs　is　developed　in　this　paper.　Compared　with　the　free-rocking　system　and　monolithic　system,　the　seismic　response　of　damped　rocking　system　was　analyzed　to　validate　the　benefits　of　VDs　for　rocking　system.　The　effect　of　damped　system　parameters　on　the　seismic　response　of　double-column　rocking　bridge　were　also　investigated.　The　analysis　illustrates　the　sensitivity　of　the　overturning　to　the　long　distinct　pulses　of　near-field　ground　motions.　Finally,　dimensionless　overturning　spectra　for　pulse　excitations　were　generated　to　provide　insight　into　the　overturning　mechanisms　of　the　damped　rocking　bridge　system　and　the　beneficial　effect　of　viscous　dampers　on　preventing　from　overturning.　©　2020　Elsevier　Ltd