Emerita in Hispania, 14-37 AD., Tiberius, As, RPC 44.

Emerita in Hispania (todays Mérida, Badajoz), Tiberius, 14-37 AD.,
As (ø 26-27 mm / 13,54 g), bronze, axes irregular alignment ↑← (ca. 280°),
Obv.: TI CAESAR AVGVSTV PON MAX IMP , bare head of Tiberius facing left.
Rev.: COL - AVGVSTA EMERITA , city or camp gateway.
RPC I, 73, 44 (5 pieces listed, plus 3 pieces in supl. 2) . rare

After the Cantabrian wars the colony Emerita was founded 25 BC. by the Roman legate Publius Carisius with the name of Emerita Augusta (the name Mérida is an evolution of this) by order of Emperor Augustus, to protect a pass and a bridge over the Guadiana river. The veterans (emeriti) of the two legions from the Cantabrian wars - V Alaudae and X Gémina - had been the first settlers. The city became the capital of Lusitania province, and one of the most important cities in the Roman empire. Todays Mérida preserves more important ancient Roman monuments than any other city in Spain.
During the Visigothic period it maintained much of its splendour, especially under the sixth-century domination of the bishops, when it was the capital of Hispania. In 713 the Arabs under their leader Muza conquered Merida. Merida stayed under Arab control until 1230 during the Reconquista Alfonso IX. of Leon incorporaded the town in his kingdom.