AEMILIA gens (originally Aimilia), a patrician family of great antiquity, as both writers and coins serve fully to attest. It was famous for the exploits and public services of its members, insomuch that they filled office, as chief pontiffs, dictators, governors, senators, consuls, masters of the horse, military tribunes with consular power, and triumvirs reipublicae constituendae, together with all the other magisterial and sacerdotal functions. Buca, Lepidus, Paulus, and Scaurus appear as surnames on the medals of this gens, and there are 43 numismatic varieties. Gold, of the highest rarity; Silver common, except scarce reverses. There are silver restored by Trajan. The brass are colonial. For the cognomen of Buca, see AIMILIA [Basilica] REFecit S. C. - For that of Paulus see TER PAVLVS. - For Scaurus see REX ARETAS. The following relates to

AEMILIA gens (originally Aimilia), a patrician family of great antiquity, as both writers and coins serve fully to attest. It was famous for the exploits and public services of its members, insomuch that they filled office, as chief pontiffs, dictators, governors, senators, consuls, masters of the horse, military tribunes with consular power, and triumvirs reipublicae constituendae, together with all the other magisterial and sacerdotal functions. Buca, Lepidus, Paulus, and Scaurus appear as surnames on the medals of this gens, and there are 43 numismatic varieties. Gold, of the highest rarity; Silver common, except scarce reverses. There are silver restored by Trajan. The brass are colonial. For the cognomen of Buca, see AIMILIA [Basilica] REFecit S. C. - For that of Paulus see TER PAVLVS. - For Scaurus see REX ARETAS. The following relates to

Lepidus. The coins of the Lepidi are remarkable for their commemoration of warlike achievements performed by persons belonging to that branch of the Aemilia gens. - There is a denarius belonging to this family, which bears on its obverse, a female head with a diadem. On its reverse, an equestrian figure with a trophy on his shoulder; around the type AN XV PR H O C S; on the exergue M LEPIDVS.

 

The meaning of this abbreviated legend on a well known and interesting silver coin is - M LEPIDVS ANorum XV PRaetextatus Hostem Occidit Cirem Serrarit. - Thus informing us that M Lepidus at the age of fifteen, still Praetextatus (that is, wearing the robe peculiar to a patrician boy) killed an enemy [in battle] and saved [the life of] a Roman citizen.