The First Messenian War

Demetrios Xanthippos was the author of this passage on the first of three Messenian wars. his writing is based off of two writers on the third century BC, Rianos and Myron. The First Messenian War started about 768 BC with a despute between Polykhares of Messenian and Euaiphnos of Sparta when Euaiphnos killed Ploykhares's son on Lakonia soil and in anger Ploykhares started killing Spartans. because neither the Messenians nor the Lakonians would give up their criminals war started. Ampheia was the sight of the first town over run by the Lakonians, forcing the Messenians to start training more men for battle. The following year the Messenians, because of the superior military of the Lakonians, saught refuge in Mt. Ithome and sent a mesenger to the orcale at Delphi. Because the Messenians followed the oracles advice to winning the war, the Lakonian lost hope and returned home for six years. Upon the resume of battle the allies of the two refused to come untill a set battle was made where the Messenians forced the Lakonians back and making them resort to askng the oracle for help. Then the end of the war was in sight. Before the Messenians could make the proper offering to the gods for a victory the Lakonians gave the offering first. This action put the Messenian king in such great dispair that he killed himself and five months later the Messenian army fell and the Lakonians put the Messenians to their fisrt time of slavery. (4 pages)