MESSENE (city in Messenia)
Ancient Greek city in Peloponnese
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Messenia
- Patron
- Artemis
- Landmarks
- Ithome Strabo 8.4.8; City Wall Pausanias 4.31.5; Statues of Argives Pausanias 10.10.5
- People of myth here
- Aepytus, Aphareus, Cresphontes, Deiphontes, Hilaira, Idas, Iphiclus, Son of Thestius, Lynceus, Melampus, Podarces
- Where
- 37.05° N, 22.00° E
The city features a high, steep mountain that serves as its acropolis. Strabo 8.4.8 The passage describes Messene as being fertile. Ovid Met. 6.412-586 The cult of Artemis Laphria was established in this city. Pausanias 4.31.7
Described in the sources
The territory of Messene borders the sea and was part of Laconia. Strabo 8.4.1 +2 The mountain above the city of Messene is named Ithome and served as the acropolis of the present city, which was established beneath it. Pausanias 4.1.3 +2 Messene is situated in the Peloponnese region. Pausanias 4.29.2 +1 The Pamisus river flows through the middle of the region of Messenia. Strabo 8.3.29 +1 Messenia is continuous with Eleian territory, and the city of Elis lies 300 stadia beyond the Pamisus river. Strabo 8.4.1 +1 The territory of Messene was one of two districts that received a king during the return of the Heracleidae. Pausanias 3.1.5 +1 Messene was the wife of Polycaon, the first ruler of the country, and the location where the mysteries were established. Pausanias 4.1.5 +1 Neleus arrived at this location with his companions to establish a settlement after being banished from his previous home. Apollodorus 1.9.9 +1 Nestor is described as the old man associated with this city, which is located at the end of a sequence of places under his command. Pindar, Pythian 6 ¶7 +1 Homer uses the name Pylus to refer to the entire region extending as far as Messene, which is identified as a distinct location from the Eleian Pylus. Strabo 8.3.29 +1
Gods and worship
Aristomenes invoked Zeus and other gods to guard the buried object. Pausanias 4.20.4
Stories and history
Epaminondas founded the city of Messene with the assistance of the Argives. Pausanias 10.10.5 +3 The Lacedaemonians waged a nineteen-year war against this city and eventually destroyed it. Pausanias 3.3.2 +2 Cresphontes was appointed king of Messene by the returning Heracleidae, captured the city after a military conflict, and is identified as its founder. Pausanias 3.1.5 +2 Dorian kings assisted in restoring Aepytus to his position in Messene. Pausanias 4.3.8 +1 Demetrius marched his army to Messene via the shortest route and took control of the city. Pausanias 4.29.1 +1 The local inhabitants provided Neleus with the specific site for the city of Pylus, which he then established. Apollodorus 1.9.9 +1 The tyrant Nabis attacked the city by surprise during the night, captured it but failed to take its citadel, and left the next day under a truce. Pausanias 4.29.10 +1 The Thebans destroyed the city. Strabo 8.4.8 Perieres took possession of the city. Apollodorus 1.9.5 Philip, son of Amyntas, restored the city. Strabo 8.4.8
Myths set at Messene
- The Abduction of Leucippus's Daughters. The Dioscuri abducted Hilaira and Phoebe from their father Leucippus to marry them. They later fought the sons of Aphareus over cattle, resulting in mutual deaths and divine intervention. Apollodorus 3.10.3 +5
- The Contest over the Cattle. Lynceus and Idas captured cattle and drove them to Messene, leading to a conflict with the sons of Tyndareus. The story ends with Lynceus being defeated and killed by Polydeuces in a contest over the cattle. Apollodorus 3.11.2 +5 Lynceus
- The Murder of Aristodemus's Daughter. Aristodemus, who had betrothed his daughter to himself, kills her in a fit of passion after a Messenian man claims she is pregnant by him. The murder prevents the required sacrifice to save Messene, leaving Aristodemus accursed despite a seer's attempt to blame him. Pausanias 4.10.5 +5 Aristodemus
- The Abduction of Marpessa. Apollo attempts to abduct Marpessa, the daughter of Evenus, driven by jealousy or desire. The story ends with Zeus separating Apollo and Idas during their fight over the maiden, who chooses Idas. Apollodorus 1.7.8 +4 Apollo
- The Conflict with the Sons of Aphareus. Pollux marched against Messene to recover stolen cattle from the sons of Aphareus. He killed Lynceus in combat but was wounded by a stone thrown by his enemy. Apollodorus 3.11.2 +4 Pollux
- The Meeting with Odysseus. Iphitus meets Odysseus in Messene or Lacedaemon while searching for lost mares, and they exchange gifts. Their friendship is cut short by Iphitus's death, preventing future visits. Apollodorus, Epitome 7.33 +3 Iphitos
- The Calydonian Boar Hunt. Idas travels from Messene to join a group of nobles hunting a deadly boar. He wounds the beast, which then falls impaled on his spear. Apollodorus 1.7.9 +2 Idas
- The Restoration of Aepytus. Aristodemus, a leader of higher standing than Lyciscus, attempts to save Messene but is stopped by fate. His sons later assist in restoring Aepytus to his position. Pausanias 4.3.8 +2 Aristodemus
- The Calydonian Boar Hunt. Lynceus traveled from Messene to join a group of heroes. He assembled with them to hunt the Calydonian boar. Apollodorus 1.8.2 +1 Lynceus
- The Vision of Heracles Manticlus. A priest in Messene sees a vision of Heracles Manticlus, who is commanded by Zeus to visit Ithome as a guest. The sons of Heracles are summoned to return and live with the assembled groups. Pausanias 4.26.3 +1 Heracles
- The Recovery of Stolen Sheep in Messene. hook: "Messenians stole three hundred sheep and their shepherds from Ithaca." goal: "Odysseus undertook a long journey while young to recover stolen sheep, a mission sent by his father and other chieftains." outcome: "" set_piece: "" people: [{ Odyssey 21 ¶1 Odysseus
- The Sacrilege at Messene. The Messenians outrage a sacrifice dedicated to the Dioscuri, causing the divine brothers to turn against them. The Dioscuri subsequently cease their opposition to the return of the Messenians. Pausanias 4.27.3