Helmets and weapons from the famed
6th-century BC naval Battle of Alalia where the Greeks scored a
Pyrrhic victory over the Etruscans and their Carthaginian allies
have been found in a new dig at Velia near Paestum south of
Naples, birthplace of the distinguished Greek philosopher
Parmenides, ANSA can reveal in an exclusive.
The walls and remains of the most archaic temple were found,
dating back to the sixth century BC, with painted ceramics and a
hoard of weapons including two helmets, one of them Etruscan and
likely taken from their enemies at the Battle of Alalia in
Corsica, which saw the Greek Phoecians attacked by Carthaginian
and Etruscan ships and resulted in a strategic victory for the
joint forces as the Greeks evacuated Corsica, which was captured
by the Etruscans, while Carthage maintained its hold on
Sardinia.
These are the surprising results of an excavation at the Velia
archaeological park, which ANSA has had a sneak peek at.
The director general of Italian museums Massimo Osanna said it
"sheds fresh light on the history of the powerful Greek colony".
Culture Minister Dario Franceschini said the find highlighted
the "importance of continuing to invest in research".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA