The municipality of Ilida (32,219 inhabitants in 2011; 40,190 ha) was formed in the 2011 local government reform by the merger of the former municipalities of Amaliada (Αμαλιάδα, 32,090 inh.) and Pineia (Πηνεία, 5,660 inh.). The municipality is named for the ancient city-state of Elis. Olivier Touzeau, 18 December 2014
The flag of Ilida (photo) is white with the municipal emblem, which features a coin minted in Elis during the Olympic Games (photo).
The Olympic games have been a lucrative business since ancient times. They were held from about 776 BC every four years, in summer on the sacred grove of Olympia, in the region of Elis on the Peloponnese. Already back then, the Olympics were not only a sportive event, but also a cultural and political forum. Along with the tournaments there were amusements of all kinds, performances and concerts and fairs, and citizens from all parts of the Greek world came together.
Thousands of people thus came to Elis every four years. Athletes and their crews as well as spectators had to be housed and fed and supplied with souvenirs. There was no foreign money accepted in Elis during the games. On the contrary, special Olympic coins were minted for the occasion, a new emission every four years. The most talented artists were commissioned to cut the dies for these coins, which were accordingly prestigious objects and as such popular souvenirs.
The city of Olympia, one of the most important religious centers of the Ancient World, had rigid currency regulations. Whoever came here – be it as participant of the Olympic games or as spectator, be it as visitor of the Olympic market, or as pilgrim to one of the big sanctuaries – had to exchange his money into the currency of Olympia.
The letters FAΛEIΩN, often abbreviated as FA, on the reverse of coins mean "faleion", i.e. "(coin) of the Eleans".
[Money Museum, Zurich] Tomislav Šipek & Ivan Sache, 31 May 2019
The seat of the municipal administration was in Simopoulo (Σιμόπουλο, 527 inh.). Pineia is named after river Pineios, which forms its northern border. The area is hilly and sparsely populated.
The flag of Pineia (Kokkonis website) was white with the municipal emblem in the center. Olivier Touzeau, 18 December 2014
![[Ilida flag]](../images/g/gr-pw-il.gif)
![[Ilida flag]](../images/g/gr-pwil0.gif)
![[Pineia flag]](../images/g/gr-pw-i2.gif)
