Emerita Augusta, Hispania Lusitania (Merida, Spain)

Moneta Historical Research by Tom Schroer

Roman coins from Emerita Augusta in the Forum Ancient Coins consignment shop.

EMERITA AVGVSTA (Merida, Spain - 38�55'N, 6�20'W) was on the Anas (Guadiana) River near its confluence with the Alba Regia (Albarregas) River. Augustus had organized the province of Hispania Lusitania in 27 BC before undertaking the conquest of northwestern Spain in 26 BC. In 25 BC he directed his "legatus pro praetore" for Hispania Lusitania, Publius Carisius, to found Emerita for the settlement of "emeriti" (veterans) of the V Alaudae and X Gemina Legions. Augustus further directed that Emerita should become the capital of Lusitania. The activity of Emerita as an Imperial mint seems limited to the early years of Augustus' reign, probably from about 25 BC until 19 BC at the latest.

Its road to the south passed over the rivers on bridges of which large parts remain (57 of the 64 arches across the Guadiana are still intact). For the convenience of its populace their water needs were supplied by an aqueduct which brought water from a reservoir three miles away. The city became an important Christian center at an early date, with its own bishop by 250. The city was lost to the Visigoths about 411.

In addition to the bridge over the Guadiana, very considerable portions of the Roman city are still standing including parts of the aqueduct, a triumphal arch of Trajan, the amphitheater which held 15,000, and the circus.

Dictionary of Roman Coins

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EMERITA Colonia. - A city of great importance during the early empire, situate on the banks of the Anas (Guadiana), in Hispania Lusitania (Spanish Estremadura). Some relics of it remain to this day, and Merida is not eh name of the place. In the year of Rome 729 (B.C. 25), Augustus, having concluded the Cantabrian war, placed there, as colonists, by way of reward, certain soldiers whose term of service had expired (emeritos), and who according to the new settlement AVGVSTA EMERITA; and by his permission (PERM. or PERMISSV. AVG.) struck numerous coins in honour of their founder.

The Emeritenses also consecrated a temple to the the Eternity of Augustus (AETERNITATIS AVGVSTAE); after whose death they paid the same monetal distinctions to his wife Livia as Julia. And being very desirous to secure for their city, as the seat of Lusitania legation, the patronage of his successor Tiberius, they dedicated coins to him also. It was for these reasons, that, as a new town, and built by Roman veterans, a representation of its fortified gate and mural enclosure was struck on the coins of this colony, and the name of EMERITA (or IMERITA) inscribed over its gateway. Nor wa this distinctive token confined to colonial brass (as C.A.E. or COL. AVGVSTA EMERITA); but the name of Augustus was also identified with the foundation of Merida by one of his own moneyers, on denarii which bear a similar type and inscription. For description and plates of the colonial mintage, in the first and second brass, the reader is referred to Mr. Akerman's Coins of Ancient Cities, Etc. p. 11, pl. i Nos. 4 and 5. The following is from silver of the Carisia Gens:

Obv. IMP. CAESAR AVGVST, Bare head of Augustus.
Rev. P. CARISIVS LEG PRO PR, Gate of the fortified city of Merida, above which is written IMERTIA.

This denarius, struck by Publius Carisius, legatus propraetor of Augustus, alludes to the Spanish campaign, in which that officer defeated the Astures, and captured from them the city of Lancia. This led to the foundation of the city of Emerita, which afterwards became the capital of Lusitania. The monetal issues of this colony do not appear to have extended beyond Tiberius.

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