Messenia

Messenia, in ancient Greece, the western of the three peninsulas that project southwards from the Peloponnesus, was bounded on the E. by Laconia, and on the N. by Arcadia and Elis. It was composed chiefly of fertile plains, separated by mountain-chains and watered by the Pamisus and other streams, and yielded abundant corn and wine. The original Pelasgic inhabitants were conquered by the Dorians, but soon absorbed their conquerors and rose to great prosperity. This excited the envy of the Spartans, who waged two long wars (743-724 and 685-668) against the brave Messenians. Most of those who survived the second war emigrated to Sicily, where they took possession of Zancle, and changed its name to Messana, the present Messina. Those who submitted to Sparta were made helots; but they revolted and waged a third war of ten years' duration (from 464). The survivors settled in Naupaktos. After the battle of Leuctra (370) Epaminondas invited the descendants of the Messenians back to Greece, and they joyfully responded to his invitation. Their independence continued till the Roman conquest in 146 B.C. Messenia is the name of a nomarchy of the modern kingdom of Greece.