bgr_486532 - ÉLIDE - ÉLIS (OLYMPIE) Hemidrachme

ELIS - ELIA (OLYMPIA)

(421-402 BC)

The coinage of the Eleans was not minted at Elis itself, but rather in conjunction with the Olympiads which had been held every four years since 776 BC. The coinage would not begin until 500 BC. of Olympia was in the territory of the city of Elis. Zeus was worshiped in the sanctuary. A chryselephantine statue of the god, sculpted by Phidias, decorated the temple dedicated to him. The Olympic Games were suppressed by Theodosius I in 393 (293rd Olympiad).