First Messenian War

At the end of the XIII century BC. e. Dorians and other Greek tribes from northwestern Greece invaded the Peloponnese. The invaders destroyed Mycenaean culture and occupied the most fertile lands. The local population, which was mainly represented by Greek Achaean tribes, partially left their lands, founding colonies, partially was enslaved or placed in a dependent position. The Dorians settled in three areas of the Peloponnese: Argolide (in the northeast), Lakonik (in the southeast) and Messenia (in the southwest). According to legend, the descendants were led by the descendants of Heracles - Heraclides , and ideologically it was represented as the restoration of the legitimate authority of the gods (the return of Heraclides). The three areas mentioned above were divided between the three kings, the descendants of Hercules. Soon a series of wars followed for the complete capture and subjugation of the surrounding cities and territories. At the same time, the Spartans pursued the most stringent policies regarding indigenous people. Some of them, who owned the best lands, were converted to helots (personally dependent peasants, tied to the land and obliged to give part of the crop). The rest, who lived in remote areas - perieks , had their own autonomy, but in matters of foreign policy they subordinated to Sparta. The ruling class of the Spartians held the belief that war was the only worthy occupation for a man. Therefore, after the complete subjugation of Laconic, they switched to aggression against their neighbors, and Messiah was one of the first to suffer.

The events of the war are described in detail by Pausanias , however, the historical reliability of his stories is in some cases doubtful. Firstly, he wrote almost a thousand years after the war, and secondly, he used works that had not reached us and some local traditions. Nevertheless, the events as a whole are presented very plausibly and do not contradict other, more fluent evidence. Pausanias says that the immediate cause for the war was the conflict between the Messenian Polykhar and the Spartiate Ewath. Evafn stole the cows of Polyhar, and then killed his son. Polykhar in Sparta did not achieve justice, then he began terror against the Spartans, secretly killing them. Sparta demanded the extradition of Polyhar. The issue was decided at a meeting of citizens. At this time, the power in Messenia belonged to the brothers Androclus and Antiochus . Opinions were divided, and it came to an open clash. Supporters of Antiochus, who opposed the extradition, killed Androclus, who considered it necessary to submit to Sparta. As a result, the messengers did not extradite Polykhar and offered to transfer the case to a neutral court. Sparta did not give any answer. At this time, King Antiochus died in Messenia, power passed to his son Euphiaus .

The Spartans secretly swore an oath to wage war on Messenia until it was completely captured. They led the army of Alkamen , the son of Telekl from the Agid clan. The fighting began with the insidious night capture of the border town of Amphea , which occupied an advantageous position. The city gates were open and the Spartans easily captured the city, killing sleeping residents in houses and on the streets. After that, there was a general meeting in the capital of Messenia, Stenikler , at which Euphius called the people to arms. For some time after this active action was not, the Spartans were limited to small sorties from captured Amphea. Throughout the war, this city remained the main base of the Spartians.

In the fourth year, Euphai decided to openly oppose the Spartians. Toward the Messenians' army the Spartan came out. They met in a terrain divided by a ravine. The actions of the heavily armed infantry, which made up the center, were limited due to the ravine. The center of the Messenian army was commanded by Cleonis. Cavalry and lightly armed infantry, which operated on the flanks, were commanded by Pifarat and Antander. During the day, the center of the troops was inactive, and skirmishes on the flanks were of little effect. At night, the Messenians fortified the center with a stockade, so the Spartans did not dare to attack and retreated to Laconic. Opponents did not pursue them. A year later, Sparta again went on a campaign with the whole army. The army was led by both kings - Theopompus of the Euripontides clan, son of Nicander , and Polydor of the Agid clan, son of Alcamen. As mercenaries, they attracted archers from Crete . Messenians also went out to meet the whole army. A fierce battle took place, in which mainly the hoplites participated, and the kings Theopompus and Euphai showed great personal courage. The battle did not bring anyone victory. On the second day, a truce was announced for the burial of the dead.

In general, the situation of the Messenians was getting worse. They were exhausted by the war that had been going on in their territory for several years, their resources were depleted. In addition, the troops suffered an epidemic. As a result, the Messenians decided that it was too difficult to defend the whole country, and, having left their cities, gathered on Mount Itoma . The Messenians sent an ambassador to Delphi , who brought a prophecy demanding to sacrifice a girl to the underground gods. A dispute arose over whom to choose, and the noble Messenian Aristodem killed his daughter. Not all warriors were sure whether this could be considered a sacrifice if it did not take place according to ritual. But no one wanted new deaths, so the messengers decided that the oracle requirement was fulfilled. The Spartans, aware of the terrible sacrifice, were afraid to attack, but after five years the prophecies were in their favor and they decided to continue the war. At this moment, the Messenians already had allies - the Arcadians , many Argos were inclined towards the union. This was due to the threat that Sparta's neighbors saw for themselves. However, the allies did not have time to battle, the battle again ended without a decisive result. In this battle, the Messenian king Euphia was killed, the inhabitants of the city chose Aristodem as the new king. After that, the war continued in the form of mutual small sorties, capture of cattle and harvest. In the fifth year of the reign of Aristodem, both parties, tired of the guerrilla warfare, agreed on a decisive battle. The allies of the parties took part in the battle: the whole army of the Arcadians came out in support of Messenia, the Argos and Sikionians sent selected troops, while Corinth supported Sparta. During the battle, the phalanxes standing in the center staunchly opposed each other, but the light infantry of the Messenians, attacking from the flanks, decided the matter. As a result, the Spartan army was defeated.

Victory in open battle did not change the course of the war. Partisan actions continued, more and more exhausting messenians, famine began in the country. Having reigned for six years, Aristodemus killed himself at the grave of his daughter. At the general meeting of the Messenians, the king was not elected, but was appointed commander of Damis . The Messenians lasted another five months, after which some left Messenia, others dispersed from Itoma to their towns. The Spartans invaded inland and took all the Messenian cities one by one. After the conquest of Messenia, its inhabitants were converted to helots and forced to take the oath to the winner. Seaside cities have retained some autonomy. The struggle resumed several decades later in 685 BC. e. , resulting in the Second Messenian War .

• Pausanias . Description of Hellas. IV