PHOCÆA (the modern Phokía), the most northern of the cities of Ionia, was situated on the coast, about 200 stadia from Smyrna. It was founded by a colony of Phœnicians, led by two Athenians, Philogenes and Damon. Its
citizens are said to have been the first amongst the Greeks who extended their commercial voyages to great distances; and its inhabitants abandoned their city rather than submit to the Persians, B.C. 544. They settled in Italy, and founded Velia. Massilia in France, and Alalia in Corsica, were colonies of the Phœnicians.