The coinage belongs to the reigns of Augustus and
Tiberius, bearing the heads of those emperors or of
Livia ; and a variety of interesting reverses, such as the
priest and plough (in token of the colonial origin), the
fortified city gate, a shield and lance, trophy, captive,
legionary eagle, or Victory. Others have the cross-
handled and two-edged Spanish sword ; or the bipennis,
also a Spanish weapon, consisting of two steel crescents
set on a long handle, which together form a single
blade. It was used chiefly by infantry in meeting
cavalry attacks. Another device is the imperial altar and
temple, the centre of the Lusitanian imperial worship,
the flamen and flaminica of which are commemorated in
inscriptions.
Emerita was a bishopric by the middle of the third
century, and had a church dedicated to St. Cyprian,
who acted as adviser to several Spanish congregations ;
and in a letter, still extant, warned the faithful of this
and other churches against communion with certain
Christians who had relapsed into heathen practices*
these unfortunately including Martialis, the first bishop
of Emerita.
Later it was a great resort of pilgrims, owing to the



St. Eulalia — Legendary History of Gades 1 37

fame of the virgin martyr Eulalia, who perished under
Diocletian, and was honoured in Spain only less than
Vincent of CcEsaraugusta. Before her shrine stood
three trees which burst into leaf in certain years on
the anniversary of the martyrdom in December, this
being a sign that a prosperous season was to follow.
