MESSENIA (region)
Ancient region in Peloponnese, Greece
- Kind of place
- Region
- Where
- 37.25° N, 21.83° E
The region provides the finest pasture for herds and flocks. Strabo 8.5.6 Most of Messenia faces south toward the Libyan Sea. Strabo 8.2.2 The Pamisus river flows through the middle of Messenia. Strabo 8.3.14
Described in the sources
Messenia shares a coastal border with Elis formed by the Neda river. Pausanias 4.20.2 +3 Messenia is situated next to the region of Triphylia, which includes the district of the Lepreatae and Macistii and was settled by one group of Caucones. Strabo 8.3.17 +2 The city of Messene is located within the territory of Messenia. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 +1 The Lacedaemonians waged war against the Messenians who had revolted. Pausanias 3.14.4 +1 The boundary between Messenia and Megalopolis is located at the Hermaeum. Pausanias 8.34.6 +1 The maritime district of Messenia was occupied by people from Pylos and Mothone. Pausanias 4.2.5 +1 The town of Gerenia, located in the territory of Messenia, is the site of the tomb of Machaon. Pausanias 4.3.2 +1 Messenia is described as having excellent fruit, being watered by many streams, and possessing the coast on both sides of its territory. Strabo 8.2.2 +1 Messenia was entrusted to Nestor by Heracles after he captured Pylus, and the kingdom was transferred to him after the deaths of the Aphareid sons. Pausanias 2.18.7 +1 The Malus river flows through the region. Pausanias 8.35.1
Gods and worship
The inhabitants of the region continue to worship Aristomenes as a hero. Pausanias 4.14.7
Stories and history
Cresphontes requested Messenia as his personal share of the territory because he was older than Aristodemus. Pausanias 4.3.3 +1 The region possesses eighteen mountains. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 The river Pamisus flows through this territory. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.7 ¶1 The Messenians refused to fight against other Greeks. Pausanias 4.28.2 The Messenians also plundered the territory of Laconia. Pausanias 4.18.1 Messenia was in a state of mutual hatred with Lacedaemon. Pausanias 4.4.4 The Messenians joined Antony in his war against Augustus. Pausanias 4.31.1 The region's forces were led by a general named Cleonnis. Pausanias 4.7.4 Messenians murdered Teleclus within a sanctuary of Artemis. Pausanias 3.2.6 King Anaxander invaded the region and captured several women. Pausanias 3.14.4
Myths set at Messenia
- The Founding of Arene. Aphareus marries Arene, daughter of Oebalus, and establishes a settlement in Messenia named after her. He and his sons reside in this new settlement, Arene. Apollodorus 3.10.3 +5 Aphareus
- The Return of the Heracleidae and the Lottery for Messenia. Cresphontes manipulates a land lottery during the return of the Heracleidae to secure Messenia for himself. He succeeds in establishing his kingship and the colony of Messene, though his rivals suspect foul play. Apollodorus 2.8.4 +5 Cresphontes
- The Acquisition of Messenia. Heracles captures Pylos and hands the land of Messenia to Nestor. Nestor receives the kingdom after the male line of Aphareus dies out. Pausanias 2.18.7 +2 Nestor
- The Expulsion of the Neleidae. The Dorian expedition drives Nestor's descendants out of Messenia two generations after his death. The expelled group includes specific lineages such as the sons of Paeon and Alcmaeon. Pausanias 2.18.8 +1 Nestor