Chapter VII: First and Second Messenian Wars

Authorities for the history of the Messenian wars.—Chiefly
belong to the time after the foundation of Messênê by
Epameinondas.—Absence of real or ancient traditions concerning
these wars: contradictions about the Messenian hero
Aristomenês.—Dates of the first wars—B. C. 743-724.—Causes
alleged by the Spartans.—Spartan king Têleklus slain by the
Messenians at the temple of Artemis Limnatis.—First Messenian
war.—Messenian kings, Euphaês and Aristodêmus.—Messenians
concentrate themselves on Mount Ithôme—after a long siege they
are completely conquered.—Harsh treatment and Helotism of the
conquered Messenians under Sparta.—Revolt of the Messenians
against Sparta—second Messenian war—Aristomenês.—His chivalrous
exploits and narrow escapes—end of the second war.—The Messenians
again conquered.—Narrative of Pausanias, borrowed from the
poet Rhianus, is undeserving of credit.—The poet Tyrtæus, the
ally of Sparta—his great efficiency and influence over the
Spartan mind.—Musical susceptibilities of the Spartans.—Powerful
ethical effect of the old Grecian music.—Sufferings of the
Spartans in the second Messenian war.—Date of the second war,
B. C. 648-631.—Punishment of the traitor Aristokratês, king of
the Arcadian Orchomenus.—Spartans acquire the country west of
Taygetus.—The Messenian Dorians had no considerable fortified
places—lived in small townships and villages.—Relations of
Pisa and Elis.—Struggles of the Pisatæ and Triphylians for
autonomy—the latter in after times sustained by the political
interests of Sparta. 421-440