v26_0541 - ELYSIQUES (oppidum of Ensérune) Obole au bucrane, imitation de Marseille

ELYSIQUES (oppidum of Ensérune)

(2nd - 1st century BC)

The Elysians are a small people from the Narbonne region, of Iberian origin whose oppidum could be identified with Ensérune. He is known to us by a mention of Herodotus, "the father of History", who indicates that Gallic mercenaries (Élysiques) would have served in the Carthaginian army in 480 BC, at the time of the siege of 'Himera (Sicily). Sources: Herodotus (H. VII, 165).