Aristomenes, the traditional hero of the unsuccessful…

Aristomenes, the traditional hero of the unsuccessful revolt against the Spartans by the Messenians, who had been enslaved by Sparta in the eighth century BCE, is probably a historical figure, but his career has been heavily overlaid with legend.

The standard version makes him a leader of a rebellion about 685 BCE: the so-called Second Messenian War.

After several victories, he is betrayed by King Aristocrates of Arcadia at the battle of “the Great Trench.” He is besieged in Eira, Messenia, for about eleven years.

When the Spartans finally conquer this stronghold, Aristomenes escapes to live in exile on the island of Rhodes.