Messenian Wars facts for kids

The Messenian Wars were a series of big conflicts between two ancient Greek city-states: Messenia and Sparta. These wars happened over a long time, mainly in the 700s and 600s BC (which means "Before Christ" or "Before the Common Era"). There was also a later war in the 300s BC. These wars were super important because they shaped the history of both regions for centuries.

What Were the Messenian Wars?

The Messenian Wars were not just one big fight, but several important ones. Sparta, a powerful military city, wanted to control more land and resources. Messenia, a neighboring region with fertile land, was their target. The wars led to Messenia losing its freedom and its people being forced to work for Sparta.

The First Messenian War (around 743–724 BC)

This was the first major conflict between Sparta and Messenia. Sparta was growing and needed more farmland to feed its people. Messenia had rich land, so Sparta decided to invade. The war lasted for a long time, possibly around 20 years.

• Why it started: Sparta wanted to expand its territory and gain control of Messenia's fertile plains.
• Key events: The Messenians fought bravely to defend their homeland. However, Sparta's strong army eventually won.
• What happened next: After their victory, Sparta took over Messenia. Most Messenians were forced into a special kind of slavery called "Helots." Helots were not owned by individuals but by the Spartan state. They had to work the land and give a large part of their crops to their Spartan masters. This system allowed Sparta to focus on military training, as the Helots provided their food.

The Second Messenian War (around 685–668 BC)

About 60 years after the first war, the Messenians tried to get their freedom back. This was a very tough war for Sparta, and it almost lost.

• Why it started: The Messenians, who were now Helots, were unhappy with their harsh lives under Spartan rule. They wanted to rebel and become free again.
• Key events: The Messenians found allies and fought fiercely. The Spartan army struggled, and there were times when it looked like they might lose. A Spartan poet named Tyrtaeus wrote poems to encourage the Spartan soldiers to keep fighting. These poems helped boost their spirits.
• What happened next: Despite their strong efforts, the Messenians were defeated again. Sparta won, and the Messenians remained Helots. This war made Sparta even more focused on its military strength. They realized they needed a super strong army to control the Helots and prevent future rebellions.

The Third Messenian War (around 464–459 BC)

This war happened much later, almost 200 years after the second one. It was another big rebellion by the Helots.

• Why it started: A massive earthquake hit Sparta in 464 BC, causing huge damage and killing many Spartans. The Helots saw this as a perfect chance to revolt while Sparta was weak.
• Key events: The Helots, mostly Messenians, rebelled and fortified themselves on Mount Ithome. Sparta had to ask other Greek city-states for help, including Athens, to put down the revolt. The siege of Mount Ithome lasted for several years.
• What happened next: Sparta eventually managed to defeat the rebels. However, instead of forcing them back into slavery, Sparta allowed the remaining Messenian rebels to leave. They settled in a new city called Naupactus, which was given to them by Athens. This war showed how much Sparta feared the Helots and how important it was for them to maintain control.

Legacy of the Messenian Wars

The Messenian Wars had a huge impact on both Sparta and Messenia.

• For Sparta: These wars were the main reason Sparta developed its unique military-focused society. To keep the large number of Helots under control, every Spartan male had to become a highly trained soldier. This made Sparta one of the most powerful military forces in ancient Greece.
• For Messenia: Messenia lost its independence for centuries. Its people endured a long period of oppression. However, they never forgot their desire for freedom. Eventually, in 369 BC, Messenia finally regained its independence from Sparta with the help of the Theban general Epaminondas. This marked the end of Spartan control over Messenia.