HORATIA genus -- a most ancient and noble family, of consular rank, bearing the surname of Cocles. The following denarius is of the highest rarity, incribed COCLES. Galcated head of Rome; behind it X. -- Rev -- ROMA. In the exergue. The dioscuri on horseback, galloping with levelled lances, and with their caps laureated, and stars above.
Mionnet values at 150 francs this elegant denarius (of which an engraving will be found under the header of Denarius. --The same restored by Trajan he prices at 300 fr. There is a moren fabrication of this coin, which must be guarded against.
The name of Horatius Cocles recalls the memory of transcendant benefits derived from members of that family to the primitive Romans. Two are most remarkable. The former was the successful resistance offered by the first Cocles, on the Pons Sublicius, to the troops of Porsenna, king of Etruria, who attempted to take Rome by a coup-de-main.--For a medallion of Antoninus Pius, representing this exploit, see Cocceia.
On account of this valuable service the Romans erected a statue to his honour in the Comitium, and gave him as much land as he coild plough round in a day. The other benefit rendered to Rome by the Horatii, was their combat with the Curiatii, who to the number of three, remained slain by the last of the Horatii. The cognomen of Cocles was attached to the first Horatius, from the circumstance of his having lost an eye on the occasion of some fight with the enemy.
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