Elea (Roman: Velia) was an antique Greek port in Lukanien in the south of Italy, those around 540 v. Chr. by Greeks one based, who fled before the Persian invasion. The city is well-known as homeland of the philosopher school of the Eleaten, to whose more well-known representatives Parmenides and Zenon of Elea belonged.

Elea developed first rapidly to a comparatively influential commercial town, in 4. Century v. Chr. as a member of the federation of the Italioten in the war against Dionysios I. of Syrakus participated. In the first Puni war Elea was a close of allied Romes and was occasionally promoted in the second Puni war to an important military base. 88 v. Chr Elea under the new name Velia was raised to the Municipium and provided with the citizen right. In the coastal surrounding countryside of Velia influential Roman citizens, as for instance Marcus Tullius Cicero and the younger Cato, maintained well equipped domiciles.

By misalignment of the commercial stream and silting-up of the port the city became impoverished and was finally completely given up (approximately in 9. Century). Today the ruins of the city, close of the small town Ascea are convenient, a part of the Cilento national park.

Related links

• www.cilento-nationalpark.de - the history of Elea

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