v09_0014 - LUCANIA - VELIA Nomos, statère ou didrachme

LUCANIA - VELIA

(350-281 BC)

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