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Messenian Wars
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A History of War
Quick Facts
Date:
800 BCE - 601
Location:
Greece
Participants:
Messenia
Sparta
Key People:
Aristomenes
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Messenian Wars

ancient Greece
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History

Messenian Wars, (8th–7th century bc), contests between Sparta and Messenia in ancient Greece. Many modern historians believe that there were two early Messenian wars: the first (c. 735–c. 715) was the Spartan conquest of Messenia; the second (c. 660) was precipitated by a Messenian revolt over which the Spartans were ultimately successful. The complete conquest of Messenia by a land-hungry Sparta seems not to have ended until c. 600.

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