EIRA (MESSENIA) (mountain in Messenia)
Ancient Greek fortification on mountain
- Kind of place
- Mountain
- Region
- Messenia
- Where
- 37.40° N, 21.93° E
The Lacedaemonians besieged the Messenians who had taken refuge at this location, and the Messenians resisted the siege for eleven years. Pausanias 4.17.10 Eira was captured during the eleventh year of a siege, an event Bacis prophesied would happen to the men of Messene during thunder and spouting rain. Pausanias 4.20.1 The Messenians held control over the mountain of Eira and its slopes down to the Neda, settling there after being separated from the rest of their region. Pausanias 4.18.1
Described in the sources
The Messenians were forced to abandon this fortification and were dispersed after the fall of Eira. Pausanias 4.20.1 +1 The Messenians defended this site as the last remaining part of their territory, and it was a location where they were present during the capture. Pausanias 4.21.1 +1 Eira is situated in the region of Messenia. Pausanias 4.23.1 Aristomenes reached this location safely after escaping capture. Pausanias 4.18.7 Some Messenians lived outside the gates of the mountain of Eira. Pausanias 4.20.5 Eira served as a destination for Messenians returning from Mount Lycaeus. Pausanias 4.23.2 The Corinthians sent troops to help the Lacedaemonians capture this location. Pausanias 4.19.1 A merchant from Cephallenia was transporting necessary supplies to this location. Pausanias 4.20.8 Eira was a location in Messenia where Messenians were captured by Lacedaemonians. Pausanias 4.23.1 Aristomenes was positioned at a distance from this fortification during the truce. Pausanias 4.19.4
Stories and history
The city was captured by enemies two hundred and eighty-seven years before the Messenians returned, causing Aristomenes significant grief. Pausanias 4.22.3 +1 Spartan soldiers scaled the fortification using ladders and other available methods, and the fortification was captured by forces from Lacedaemon. Pausanias 4.21.1 +1 The acropolis associated with this place was eventually deserted. Pausanias 4.20.8 The capture of Eira caused maritime Messenians to flee by ship to Cyllene. Pausanias 4.23.1 The Lacedaemonians captured a merchant who was bringing goods to this place. Pausanias 4.20.8 Aristomenes rescued a merchant and recovered goods intended for this location. Pausanias 4.20.8 Euergetidas led a group of fifty Messenians back to Eira to attack Lacedaemonians. Pausanias 4.23.2 Messenians based at this location plundered Laconia and their own former territory. Pausanias 4.18.1 Emperamus was conducting a siege against the fortification, and a herdsman advised him that the time was right to capture the place. Pausanias 4.20.10 The capture of Eira occurred during the second conflict between Lacedaemonians and Messenians, marking the completion of the second war between the two groups. Pausanias 4.23.4