Velia

Velia, originally founded as Hyele around 535 BC by Phocaean Greeks fleeing Persian conquest, became one of the wealthiest cities of Magna Graecia thanks to its two ports and strategic position between Greece and Etruria. The city is renowned as the birthplace of the Eleatic school of philosophy, home to Parmenides and his student Zeno, famous for his paradoxes. Elea maintained independence from Lucanian conquest and allied with Rome in 273 BC, supplying ships for the Punic Wars. The city also housed a medical school active until at least 62 AD. Its ruins, including walls, gates, towers, and sanctuaries, form an archaeological park near Ascea in Campania.