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MANLIA, a plebeian family. The coins said to belong to it are passed over by Eckhel as "numi Gltziani," and not noticed by Mionnet or Akerman.
Manipulus, a band or company of Roman soldiers, whose military ensign was an extended hand placed on the top of a spear.
MANLIA, a patrician family, of the most noble descent. Its principal surname is Torquatus, celebrated in its association with Manlius in Roman story.—The gold coins are very rare; the silver common.—This famiy took the surname of Torquatus from the valour of T. Manlius, who, in the year of Rome 393, slew in single combat a Gaul of superior strength to himself, and took away his collar (torques). Thenceforward the Manlii adopted the honourable addition, and stamped it on their coins.—Thus on the reverse of a silver medal of this family we see L. TORQVA. Q. EX. S. C.
A man, armed with helmet, spear, and buckler, galloping on horseback.—The obverse presents the winged head of Pallas, the word ROMA and X, all within a torques.—On the reverse of another denarius of the Manlia family we read the words L. SVLLA. IMP., and the type represents Sylla in a triumphal quadringa, holding in his right hand a caduceus, and crowned by a flying Victory.—The obverse of this coin bears the legend L. MANLI. PRO. Q., and for its type has the winged head of Minerva.—We learn from Plutarch that Manlius Torquatus, who on the above is called Proquaestor, was one of Sylla 's generals.—Another coin of the Manlia family exhibits the same reverse of Sylla triumphing, and bears on its obverse ROM. and the mark X., together with the head of Pallas, all within a torques, or ornamental collar, allusive to their intrepid and victorious ancestor.
Besides the silver coins above described, there is an elegant one inscribed SER. (Serranus, or more probably Sergius), with the head of Minerva for the type of its obverse, and ROMA before it; on the reverse of which is A. MANLI. Q. R., and Apollo, or the Sun, in chariot drawn by four horses, on his left X., on his right a crescent, and on each side a star.—See SOL.
Also another denarius, with female head, and inscribed SIBVLLA.—Rev.: L. TORQVATus III. VIR. A tripod, above which are two stars, the whole within an ornamental circle.—See Sibyllae.