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The Revolt of Messenia: Independence from Sparta in 685 BCE
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In 685 BCE, the region of Messenia—long subjugated by Sparta—rose in rebellion and briefly gained independence, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Peloponnese. This event was part of the larger struggle known as the Second Messenian War (c. 685-668 BCE), a fierce conflict between the Messenians and their Spartan overlords.
Messenia, a fertile region southwest of Sparta, had been conquered during the First Messenian War (c. 743-724 BCE). The Spartans reduced the native Messenians to helots (state-owned serfs), forcing them to work the land under brutal conditions. Resentment simmered for decades, and by the early 7th century BCE, the Messenians saw an opportunity to revolt.
The spark for rebellion came under the leadership of Aristomenes, a legendary Messenian hero (though some historians debate his historicity). Taking advantage of Sparta's preoccupation with other conflicts and internal strife, the Messenians launched a coordinated uprising. They seized key strongholds, including Mount Ithome, a natural fortress that became their stronghold.
For years, the Messenians waged guerrilla warfare against Sparta, inflicting significant losses. At one point, they even defeated a Spartan army at the Battle of Deres, bolstering their morale. However, Sparta, renowned for its military discipline, eventually regrouped and called upon allies, including Corinth, to crush the rebellion.
Despite early successes, the Messenians were gradually worn down. By 668 BCE, Sparta had retaken control, and Messenia was once again subjugated. Many Messenians fled to other Greek cities or were re-enslaved as helots. However, the memory of their defiance endured, inspiring later revolts, including the Great Revolt of 464 BCE following a devastating earthquake in Sparta.
The Second Messenian War demonstrated both Spartan resilience and the persistent resistance of the Messenians. While independence was short-lived, the conflict highlighted the deep tensions within Sparta's slave-based society. Later Greek historians, such as Pausanias, romanticized the struggle, portraying Aristomenes as a freedom fighter—a symbol of resistance against oppression.
Note: Some details of this war come from later sources and may be embellished. Archaeological evidence is limited, so historians rely heavily on accounts from writers like Tyrtaeus (a Spartan poet) and Pausanias (2nd century CE).
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