Caecilia gens

[1][2] The Caecilii Metelli were one of the most powerful families of the late Republic, from the decades before the First Punic War down to the time of Augustus.

Like other Roman families in the later times of the Republic, the Caecilii traced their origin to a mythical personage, Caeculus, the founder of Praeneste.

Coming of age, he called upon the people of the countryside to build a new town, convincing them with the aid of a miracle.

An alternative tradition claimed that the Caecilii were descended from Caecas, one of the companions of Aeneas, who came with him to Italy after the sack of Troy.

The cognomina of this gens under the Republic are Bassus, Denter, Cornutus, Metellus, Niger, and Rufus, of which the Metelli are the best known.

Lucius Caecilius Jucundus , a Pompeian banker.
Denarius of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius , 81 BC. The obverse depicts a head of Pietas , alluding to the agnomen, Pius . The elephant on the reverse commemorates the capture of Carthaginian elephants by Lucius Caecilius Metellus at Panormus in 251 BC. [ 12 ]
Denarius of Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius Scipio , c. 46 BC . The obverse depicts the head of Jupiter . The elephant on the reverse may also allude to Africa, since the coin was minted there before the Battle of Thapsus . [ 13 ]
Denarius of Gaius Caecilius Metellus Caprarius , 125 BC. The reverse depicts the triumph of his ancestor Lucius Caecilius Metellus , with the elephants he had captured at the Battle of Panormus . [ 34 ]