v36_0015 - LUCANIA - VELIA Drachme

LUCANIA - VELIA

(6th - 5th century BC)

Velia, Elea for the Greeks, was founded around 540 BC by Phocaeans who had left Asia Minor after the fall of Croesus and Sardis in 546 BC. Velia became an ally of the Romans from from 275 BC. The lion was the symbol of Velia hence its use on the Massaliote coinage which had close links with Velia.