It was founded by Focei in the 540 A.C. . The Focei, men that didn't accept the domination of the Persians, after 20 years of roaming the Mediterranean, chose this colony of Cilento, and decided to call it their native land. They were sailors and merchants, with untamed idea's of freedom. They built their city, strong and endowed with two doors, enabling them never having to fight . Even with Rome, Elea became Velia, it kept up its commercial, political and cultural report, without demands for its independence. Bruto, after killing Cesare, hid at Velia and Macatonio, who was following him, waited to catch him outside of the city. The mildness of the climate bought guests from the higher class of life, than that of its inhabitants. Velia became the lodging destination for a number of famous people, such as Cicerone, Paolo Emilio and Orazio. Velia was the birth place of Parmenide and Zenone, and lodged Senofone of Colofone . Parmenide and Zenone went to lodge at Athens to compare themselves with the philosophers of their mother-country. The children of Velia founded the Elatica school, which still now informs most of our actual thoughts. It was also a centre for a school of medicine and half of the infirm, ran to his asclepeio to be cured.The medical school of Salerno was a direct descendant of Eleatica, always continuing with the most inspire of the century. The decline came slowly with the burying of the doors, floods, pirate excursions, the Pest and earthquakes. With the passing of the centuries, it has even lost it's memories and today the visible remains, according to the authorities are 15%, of the whole city.