Greek soldiers defeated Etruscan forces and their Carthaginian allies in the 6th-century B.C. naval battle of Alalia.
Velia, a part of Magna Graecia, is known for being the birthplace of Parmenides and Zeno, as well as an ancient Greek school of philosophy.
Velia’s settlement was enclosed by a wall and occupied the area’s highest part, or acropolis, as well as slopes. Elea was the ancient name for the city.
Velia was founded by colonists from Asia Minor around 540 B.C. The discoveries during the Velia excavation, according to Franceschini, emphasized the importance in investing in archaeological research in order to uncover “vital aspects of Mediterranean history.”