ALLIANCE, or Concord, between different cities was a frequent usage in ancient times. - Alliances are found to have existed between neighbouring cities, and also between cities situated at a distance from each other, sometimes to the number of more than two. Under the power of the Romans, alliance with them is expressly noted on some coins. This state of political concord is itself recorded in the legend, and even personified in the type. In other instances, the citizens of a town declare themselves allied to each other. (Hennin (?) Manual, vol. ii. p. 7.) - In connection with this subject, it may be noticed, that there is a rare family denarius (see Veturia gens), on the reverse of which is a Fecialis, or sacred herald, in a kneeling attitude, holding a sow, which is touched with their wands by a Roman soldier and by a man, who, from his dress, appears to belong to a foreign nation. - It was by such a ceremonial that the Roman people, in the earlier periods of their history, contracted alliances. When the two deputies touched the sow, the priest invoked Jupiter to treat the violators of the compact with the same degree of rigour as he was himself about to exercise upon that animal; and he forthwith killed it with a flint-stone. This solemnity, according to Livy, was as ancient as the reign of Tullus Hostilius, third king of Rome.
On a coin in silver of the Antistia gens, two figures are seen holding a victim over an altar, evidently in conclusion of some treaty of alliance and amity between the Romans and another state, as is indicated by the accompanying legend, FOEDVS, &c. - For instances of municipal alliances, see Akerman 's "Ancient Coins of Cities and Princes" - Hispania; Gades, &c. - An article, headed FOEDERATE CIVITATES, in Dr. W. Smith 's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities throws much historical light on this subject.