v49_0017 - LUCANIA - PAESTUM Quadrans, (PB, Æ 16)

LUCANIA - PAESTUM

(268-44 BC)

The Lucanians captured Poseidonia around 400 BC and altered the name to Paistom. The Romans succeeded in removing the city from its Lucanian influence and refounded it under the name of Pæstum in 273 BC, giving it Latin law. Pæstum was a faithful ally of Rome during the two Punic Wars (268-241 AC) and (221-202 AC). The city helped the Romans when Taranto was besieged by Hannibal. The city had received the right to mint bronze coinage and retained it until the beginning of the empire. It was famous for its temples of Poseidon and Hera.