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87-735: Messenia borders on Elis to the north, Arcadia to the northeast, and Laconia to the southeast. The Ionian Sea lies to the west, and the Gulf of Messinia to the south. The most important mountain ranges are the Taygetus in the east, the Kyparissia mountains in the northwest and the Lykodimo in the southwest. The main rivers are the Neda in the north and the Pamisos in central Messenia. Off

174-583: A status "between free men and slaves". Tied to the land, they primarily worked in agriculture as a majority and economically supported the Spartan citizens. The proportion of helots in relation to Spartan citizens varied throughout the history of the Spartan state; according to Herodotus , there were seven helots for each of the 5,000 Spartan soldiers at the time of the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. Thus

261-417: A subjugated population that constituted a majority of the population of Laconia and Messenia – the territories ruled by Sparta . There has been controversy since antiquity as to their exact characteristics, such as whether they constituted an Ancient Greek tribe , a social class , or both. For example, Critias described helots as " slaves to the utmost", whereas according to Pollux , they occupied

348-540: A considerable sum at the time. Helots lived in family units and could, at least de facto , contract unions among themselves. Since helots were much less susceptible than other slaves in Greek antiquity to having their family units dispersed, they could reproduce themselves, or at least maintain their number. Probably not insignificant to begin with, their population increased in spite of the crypteia , other massacres of helots (see below), and losses in war. Simultaneously,

435-560: A gloss of Hesychios of Alexandria which attests that mothakes were slave children ( δοῦλοι / doũloi ) raised at the same time as the children of citizens. Philologists resolve this quandary in two ways: In any case, the conclusion needs to be treated carefully: Herodotus makes multiple accounts of Helots accompanying Spartans as servants and soldiers in battles such as Thermopylae and Plataea , often lightly equipped compared to their hoplite counterparts. In his reports on Plataea, he makes multiple accounts of Helots which accompanied

522-400: A proclamation to pick out those of their number who claimed to have most distinguished themselves against the enemy, in order that they might receive their freedom; the object being to test them, as it was thought that the first to claim their freedom would be the most high spirited and the most apt to rebel. As many as two thousand were selected accordingly, who crowned themselves and went round

609-610: A regional centre. Like most of the Peloponnese , the area was unaffected during World War I . As a result of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) , Greek refugees from Asia Minor settled in the area around Amaliada. World War II struck parts of Elis, houses were damaged, leaving people homeless, and afterwards the Greek Civil War caused more destruction and economic decline. The return to democracy after

696-404: A sight a drunken man is; they made them to dance low dances, and sing ridiculous songs..." during syssitia (obligatory banquets). However, he notes that this rough treatment was inflicted only relatively late, after the 464 BC earthquake . Some modern scholars advocate a reevaluation of ancient evidence about helots. It has been argued that the kunē was not actually made of dogskin, and that

783-526: A sign of weakness. This theoretically removed the strongest and most able potential rebels while keeping the general populace fit and efficient. What is more, the Spartans used helot women to satisfy the state's human personnel needs: the ' bastards ' ( nothoi ) born of Spartan fathers and helot women held an intermediary rank in Lacedaemonian society (cf. mothakes and mothones below) and swelled

870-465: A slave's condition, they made death the penalty; and they allotted a punishment to those controlling them if they failed. Plutarch also states that Spartans treated the Helots "harshly and cruelly": they compelled them to drink pure wine (which was considered dangerous— wine usually being diluted with water) "... and to lead them in that condition into their public halls, that the children might see what

957-457: A territory similar to the former provinces. The main cities and towns of Messenia are (ranked by 2021 census population): The economy of Messenia is primarily based on agricultural production although in recent years efforts are being made toward the development of activities in other sectors such as tourism. Main agricultural products are olive oil, Kalamata table olives , figs, and black raisins (sultanas). The variety of agricultural products

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1044-676: A view to security against the Helots". Aristotle compares them to "an enemy constantly sitting in wait of the disaster of the Spartans". Consequently, fear seems to be an important factor governing relations between Spartans and Helots. According to tradition, the Spartiates always carried their spears, undid the straps of their bucklers only when at home lest the Helots seize them, and locked themselves in their homes. They also took active measures, subjecting them to what Theopompus describes as "an altogether cruel and bitter condition". According to Myron of Priene, an anti-Spartan historian of

1131-448: Is Costa Navarino a location on the border between Pylos and Trifylia , comprising several eco-friendly luxury resorts and golf courses, which is Greece's biggest tourist development. There are many small- and medium-size firms involved in the processing and standardization of agricultural products as well as a number of enterprises devoted to wood processing , furniture manufacturing, and metal construction. The Karelia tobacco company

1218-636: Is 100 km (62 mi), and from east-to-west is around 55 km (34 mi). The modern regional unit is not completely congruent with ancient Elis : Lampeia belonged to ancient Arcadia , and Kalogria is now part of Achaea . The longest river is the Alfeios . Other rivers are the Erymanthos , Pineios and Neda . Alfeios, Pineios and Neda flow into the Ionian Sea in Elis. Less than 1% of

1305-647: Is an important stop for cruise ships, offering an opportunity for passengers to visit the site of Ancient Olympia . Other ports or harbors are small in size and fit only smaller boats. Elis has a military airport near Andravida , north of Pyrgos. There are no public airports in the area. The nearest airport on land is in Kalamata . Telephones became more common after the 1960s when the Hellenic Telecommunication Organization ( ΟΤΕ ) created hundreds of kilometres of phone lines in

1392-525: Is any doubt in these affirmations, they at least underscore the immediate Spartan reaction: gathering allies and pursuing war with the same Athens that would later be faced in the Peloponnesian War . After all, the rebellion represented an early indication of souring relations between the Athenians and the Spartans. The Spartans spuriously expelled an Athenian army sent to assist in putting down

1479-438: Is around 140 km. There is a railway line from Patras to Kalamata via Pyrgos, and a branch line from Pyrgos to Olympia . Since January 2011, traffic is suspended on the line from Patras to Kalamata, and only the branch line from Pyrgos to Olympia has regular passenger trains. The port of Kyllini in the northwest is the busiest port in Elis, with car ferries to the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia . The port of Katakolo

1566-636: Is based in Kalamata. The main airport in Messenia is Kalamata International Airport (KLX). The main highways in Messenia are: The main railways in Messenia (meter gauge) are: Messenia is mentioned in the oldest work of European literature, the Iliad . The name undoubtedly goes back to at least the Bronze Age, but its origins are lost in the world of mythology. The region was one of the largest that

1653-609: Is complemented by a small amount of stockbreeding products (beef, milk, sfela cheese, honey) and fish from the Gulf of Messenia. The tourist development observed is mainly attributable to the promotion of important archaeological sites, such as the Palace of Nestor , Ancient Messene , and the Venetian castles of Pylos , Koroni , Methoni and Kalamata , as well as to the beauty of the landscape. Another key factor for Messenia's economy

1740-596: Is declining in the southeast and east. The primary source of agriculture is corn, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, livestock, watermelon, melon and some vegetables. There are 3 major operating tomato factories in Savalia ( Kyknos ), Gastouni ( Pelargos ), and north of Andravida ( Asteris ). The most fertile land in Peloponnese is the plain that covers the northern part of Elis and the adjacent part of Achaea. Textiles used to be dominant in business from antiquity until

1827-402: Is very small. Monasteries are scattered around the region. Elis has a Mediterranean climate , with hot, sunny summers. Temperatures over 40 °C have been recorded. The mountainous interior is colder, and snow covers the mountains in winter. Elis is more humid than the eastern Peloponnese. Elis is located in a seismically active zone, and there are several earthquakes each year. Some of

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1914-571: The Greek War of Independence of 1821. The Venetian Republic controlled a few coastal towns in the 1490s, early 16th century and from 1686 until 1715 . Battlegrounds of the Greek War of Independence in Elis include Chlemoutsi, Gastouni, Lala, Lampeia, Pyrgos and Andritsaina. As a part of independent Greece, Elis experienced an economic and agricultural upswing in the first decades after the war of independence. Houses were built, and Pyrgos became

2001-550: The Greek military junta of 1967–1974 , and Greece joining the European Communities in 1981 stimulated economic development and improvement of infrastructure. Elis has 200 km of highways . There are no limited-access freeways in the prefecture, but a freeway (A9) is being built between Patras and Kyparissia , planned opening 2012. The principal highways include: The total length of railway tracks in Elis

2088-561: The Lacedaemonians who did not participate in the Messenian Wars; for Ephorus of Cyme , they were the perioeci ("dwellers in surrounding communities") from Helos, reduced to slavery after a failed revolt. From at least the classical period, the number of Spartans was very small in comparison to that of the helots. In a celebrated passage, Thucydides stresses that "most Spartan institutions have always been designed with

2175-720: The Roman Empire . In the Migration Period (3rd - 4th century AD) Vandals and Visigoths rampaged through the region. After the final partition of the Roman Empire in 395, Elis was ruled by the Byzantine Empire . In the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade , crusaders from Western Europe (traditionally referred to as Franks in southeastern Europe) established the principality of Achaea in

2262-637: The conspiracy of Cinadon of 399 BC. Plato on the other hand does not mention the killings by the Crypteia at all in Laws . Several theories exist regarding the origin of the name "helot". According to Hellanicus , the word relates to the village of Helos , in the south of Sparta. Pausanias thus states, "Its inhabitants became the first slaves of the Lacedaemonian state, and were the first to be called helots". This explanation is, however, not very plausible in etymological terms. Linguists have associated

2349-466: The diphthera (literally, "leather") was the general attire of the poor peasant class. The obligation of masters to prevent fatness amongst their helots is actually deemed implausible: as the Spartiates lived separately, dietary intake could not be rigorously controlled; as manual labour was an important function of the Helots (for example, being used to carry their master's arms and armour on campaign), it would make sense to keep them well fed. Besides,

2436-407: The μόθακες / mothakes , who had undergone the ' agoge' , the Spartan educational system. Classical historiography recognizes that the helots comprised a large portion of these mothakes . Nevertheless, this category poses a number of problems, firstly that of vocabulary. The classical authors used a number of terms which appear to evoke similar concepts: The situation is somewhat complicated by

2523-690: The 1680s, the whole of Messenia was regained by the Venetian Republic in the Morean War , and formed part of the " Kingdom of the Morea " until recovered by the Ottomans in 1715. The Mani Peninsula , a part of modern Messenia, remained autonomous from Turkish rule. Messenia became part of independent Greece as a result of the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832). The famous naval Battle of Navarino took place near present Pylos in 1827, and

2610-430: The 4th century BC, citizens also used chattel -slaves for domestic purposes. However, this is disputed by others. Some helots were also servants to young Spartans during their agoge , the Spartan education; these were the μόθωνες / móthōnes (see below). Finally, helots, like slaves, could be artisans or tradesmen. They were required to hand over a predetermined portion of their harvest ( ἀποφορά / apophorá ), with

2697-655: The 8th century BC, become synonymous in Herodotus with helots. The situation seems less clear in the case of the earliest helots, who, according to Theopompus, were descended from the initial Achaeans , whom the Dorians had conquered. But not all Achaeans were reduced to helotism: the city of Amyclae , home of the Hyacinthia festival, enjoyed special status, as did others. Contemporary authors propose alternative theories: according to Antiochus of Syracuse, helots were

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2784-499: The Helots as a kind of ideological warfare, designed to condition the Helots to think of themselves as inferiors. This strategy seems to have been successful at least for Laconian Helots: when the Thebans ordered a group of Laconian helot prisoners to recite the verses of Alcman and Terpander (national poets of Thebes), they refused on the grounds that it would displease their masters. Other modern scholars consider then, "although

2871-467: The Lacedaemonians had made advertisement for volunteers to carry into the island ground corn, wine, cheese, and any other food useful in a siege; high prices being offered, and freedom promised to any of the helots who should succeed in doing so. Thucydides reports that the request met with some success, and the helots got supplies through to the besieged island. He does not mention whether or not

2958-509: The Lacedaemonians to arms, simultaneously saves them from the earthquake and the helot attack. The helots fold, but revert to open warfare joined by the Messenians. It is difficult to reconcile these versions. It is nevertheless clear that in any case the revolt of 464 BC represented a major traumatic event for the Spartans. Plutarch indicates that the Crypteia and other poor treatments of the helots were instituted after this revolt. If there

3045-509: The Messenian people becoming a vassal state of Sparta rather than helots. Having paid their tribute, the helots could often live rather well; the lands of Laconia and Messenia were very fertile, and often permitted two crops per year. It seems they could enjoy some private property: in 425 BC, some helots had their own boats. A certain amount of wealth was achievable: in 223 BC, 6,000 helots purchased their freedom for 500 drachmas each,

3132-523: The Middle Ages. In the 1950s, agriculture was the dominant occupation, except in the towns Amaliada and Pyrgos . Currently, one third of jobs in Elis is in the agricultural sector. Squid , and all types of fish are common in the waters of Elis. Fishing is mainly done in the southeastern Ionian Sea and in the Bay of Patras . Most of the production is sent into Patras, some into Athens, some elsewhere in

3219-608: The Spartans kept their word; it is possible that some of the helots later executed were part of the Sphacterian volunteers but later said they kept their word. Another such call came during the Theban invasion of Laconia in one of the decisive battles of Peloponnese wars. Xenophon in Hellenica (VI, 5, 28) states that the authorities agreed to emancipate all the helots who volunteered. He then reports that more than 6,000 heeded

3306-419: The Spartans on the battlefield and made up the mass of the army. In Greek military practice, the standard depth of the army's phalanx was eight men, having known this, Herodotus deducted that there was a soldier ratio of seven Helots to one Spartan at Plataea. Historians have confirmed that Herodotus' accounts of both Helot and Spartan soldiers is exaggerated, it is however confirmed that Helots were present on

3393-451: The Spartans to impose a eugenics doctrine similar to that which they, themselves, practiced. This would, according to Greek beliefs of the period, ensure not only genetic but also acquired favourable characteristics be passed along to successive generations. Tempering these selective factors was the crypteia, during which the strongest and fittest helots were the primary targets of the kryptes ; to select soft targets would be interpreted as

3480-465: The battlefield due to Herodotus alluding to a grave which was constructed for the Helots. Helots may have also had other roles at Plataea besides forming the ranks in battle, some historians believe that Helots were also designated with guarding supply lines for the armies. The first helot attempt at revolt which is historically reported is that provoked by general Pausanias in the 5th century BC. Thucydides reports: Besides, they were informed that he

3567-437: The beginning of the 4th century BC, only forty Peers, or citizens, could be counted in a crowd of 4,000 at the agora (Xenophon, Hellenica , III, 3, 5). The total population of helots at that time, including women, is estimated as 170,000–224,000. Since the helot population was not technically chattel, their population was reliant on native birth rates, as opposed to prisoners of war or purchased slaves. Helots were encouraged by

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3654-508: The call, leading to some embarrassment for the Spartans, who were initially overwhelmed by the number. Xenophon states that the Spartans' fears were assuaged when they received aid from their allies and Boeotian mercenary forces. All the same, in 424 BC, the 700 helots who served Brasidas in Chalcidice were emancipated, and they were henceforth known as the "Brasidians". It was also possible to purchase freedom, or achieve it by undergoing

3741-418: The details may be fanciful, [Myron's evidence] does reflect accurately the general Spartiate attitude towards helots". It has also been proposed that contempt alone could hardly explain the organized murder of Helots mentioned by several ancient sources. According to Aristotle, the ephors annually declared war on the Helots, thereby allowing Spartans to kill them without fear of religious pollution. This task

3828-547: The emancipation of helots was "common" ( πολλάκις / pollákis ). The text suggests that this is normally associated with completion of military service. The first explicit reference to this practice in regards to the helots occurs in Thucydides (IV, 26, 5). This is on the occasion of the events at Sphacteria , when Sparta had to relieve their hoplites, who were besieged on the island by the Athenians : The fact was, that

3915-453: The great earthquake at Sparta to have been a retribution. This affair, recalled by the Athenians in responding to a Spartan request to exile Pericles —who was an Alcmaeonid on his mother's side—is not dated. Historians know only that it happened before the disastrous earthquake of 464 BC. Thucydides here is the only one to implicate the helots: Pausanias speaks rather about Lacedaemonians who had been condemned to death. Nor does

4002-402: The half of all the produce of their fields to Sparta.... Like asses worn by their great burdens, bringing of dire necessity to their masters the half of all the fruits the corn-land bears." Pausanias is describing the period immediately after the first Messenian War, when conditions were probably more severe. Also, since taking a percentage of the produce would have required constantly overseeing

4089-468: The helots and perioeci of Thouria and Aithaia took advantage of the earthquake to revolt and establish a position on Mt. Ithome . He adds that most of the rebels were of Messenian ancestry—confirming the appeal of Ithome as a historical place of Messenian resistance—and focuses attention on the perioeci of Thouria, a city on the Messianian coast. Conversely, historians could deduce that a minority of

4176-403: The helots keeping the surplus. According to Plutarch, this portion was 70 medimnoi of barley for a man, 12 for a woman, as well as a quantity of oil and wine corresponding to an amount reasonable for the needs of a warrior and his family, or a widow, respectively. The existence of the apophorá is contested by Tyrtaeus : "Secondly, though no fixed tribute was imposed on them, they used to bring

4263-467: The helots were Laconian, thus making this the one and only revolt of their history. Commentators such as Stephanus of Byzantium - writing around a thousand years later - suggest that this Aithaia was in Laconia, thus indicating a large-scale uprising in the region. The version of events given by Pausanias is similar. Diodorus Siculus (XI, 63,4 – 64,1), probably influenced by Ephorus of Cyme, attributed

4350-503: The helots, it is unlikely such a tax could be implemented upon the relatively distant Messenia. With Tyrtaeus being a poet, the amount might well have been a poetic figure of speech, similar to the modern "half a kingdom". In fact, it is debated whether the quote refers to helots in the first place, since Tyrtaeus' description of the Second Messenian War refers to enemy phalanxes, indicating the first war could have ended with

4437-412: The latter in order to pacify the region. Though the Messenians may not have triggered full-blown guerrilla warfare , they nevertheless pillaged the area and encouraged helot desertion. Sparta was forced to dedicate a garrison to controlling this activity; this was the first of the ἐπιτειχισμοί / epiteikhismoí ("ramparts"), outposts planted by the Athenians in enemy territory. The second such outpost

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4524-413: The middle 3rd century BC: They assign to the Helots every shameful task leading to disgrace. For they ordained that each one of them must wear a dogskin cap ( κυνῆ / kunễ ) and wrap himself in skins ( διφθέρα / diphthéra ) and receive a stipulated number of beatings every year regardless of any wrongdoing, so that they would never forget they were slaves. Moreover, if any exceeded the vigour proper to

4611-478: The most significant earthquakes to have hit the area are: Rainy weather in 2002-2003 caused destruction of villages by mudslides, and some bridges and roads were also cut off. In February 2008, frost devastated many crops in Manolada , Nea Manolada and Kounoupeli . In August 2007, there were enormous forest fires which led to tens of deaths and a massive environmental and economic disaster. The final toll for

4698-532: The mountains, especially the Taygetus. Rain and clouds are common inland. Before the 2010 reorganization, Messenia was a nomos (prefecture) containing 29 dimoi (municipalities) and 2 koinotites (communities). Since 2010, Messenia has been a perifereiake enoteta (regional unit) containing only 6 municipalities, but with the same population, as it did not change area in the reorganization. Some 25 municipalities and communities were incorporated politically into

4785-413: The mountains. The population of ancient Elis (from 1000–1 BC) was in the range of 5,000 to 10,000 and reached 10,000 or 20,000 by 1 BC. The population reached 217,000 around 1981, but has been declining since. Pyrgos became the largest city having the population over the 10,000 mark in the mid-20th century, and above 20,000 in the late 1980s. The population in the northwest is growing while the population

4872-458: The need to keep the helot population in check and to prevent rebellion were major concerns of the Spartans. Helots were ritually mistreated and humiliated. Every autumn the Spartan polis declared war on the helots, allowing them to be killed and abused by members of the Crypteia without fear of religious repercussion. Uprisings and attempts to improve the lot of the helots did occur, such as

4959-476: The one nation called their slaves helots and the others called them penestae ..." "In all of these texts, the naming of the group as helots is the central and symbolic moment of their reduction to serfhood . They are thus institutionally distinguished from the anonymous douloi (slaves)." Certainly conquest comprised one aspect of helotism; thus Messenians, who were conquered in the Messenian Wars of

5046-418: The original divisions of Messenia after its conquest by Sparta. Various sources mention such servants accompanying this or that Spartan. Plutarch has Timaia, the wife of King Agis II , "being herself forward enough to whisper among her helot maid-servants" that the child she was expecting had been fathered by Alcibiades , and not her husband, indicating a certain level of trust. According to some authors, in

5133-411: The other 6 according to the table below, becoming municipal units. The prefecture of Messenia was previously subdivided into four provinces ( Greek : επαρχίες , " eparchies ") : Like all provinces of Greece, they were abolished after the 2006 local elections , in line with Law 2539/1997, as part of the " Kapodistrias reform ". Some of the enlarged municipalities ( demoi ) created in 2011 have

5220-399: The population of Spartiate citizens declined. The absence of a formal census prevents an accurate assessment of the helot population, but estimates are possible. According to Herodotus, helots were seven times as numerous as Spartans during the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. The long Peloponnesian War drained Sparta of so many of its citizens that by the time of the conspiracy of Cinadon ,

5307-882: The ports of Coron and Modon came under Venetian control. Apart from Coron and Modon, the rest of Messenia was captured by the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea in 1430. Much of Messenia fell into the hands of the Ottoman Empire in 1460, a part of the area remained with the Venetian Republic until the Second Ottoman–Venetian War (1499–1503). In 1534 a group of families, known as the 'Coroni', settled in Piana degli Albanesi in Sicily. They were Arvanites and Greeks from Koroni . During

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5394-419: The prefecture is open water, most of it found in artificial reservoirs and dams, in the north and east. The Pineios Dam supplies water for Northern Elis. The water is not safe for drinking, because it contains some contaminants . A second, smaller reservoir in the river Alfeios near Olympia and Krestena supplies water to Pyrgos. The eastern part of the regional unit is forested, with mostly pine trees in

5481-430: The prefecture was: 45 dead, 100,000 affected by the fire, 3,500 left homeless by the fire, 25,000 dead animals, 8,500 hectares of burnt forests, 2,300 hectares of burnt farmland. The archaeological site of Olympia was seriously threatened, but not damaged. The regional unit Elis is subdivided into 7 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox): As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform ,

5568-417: The present day. Messenia suffered damage from the 2007 Greek forest fires . Elis (regional unit) Elis also known as Ellis or Ilia ( Greek : Ηλεία , Ileia ) is a historic region in the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece . It is administered as a regional unit of the modern region of Western Greece . Its capital is Pyrgos . Until 2011 it was Elis Prefecture, covering

5655-451: The promises made by Pausanias were too generous to be believed by the helots; not even Brasidas, when he emancipated his helot volunteers, offered full citizenship. The massacre at Cape Taenarus , the promontory formed by the southernmost tip of Taygetus , is also reported by Thucydides: The Lacedaemonians had once raised up some helot suppliants from the temple of Poseidon at Taenarus, led them away and slain them; for which they believe

5742-428: The ranks of the citizen army. It is difficult to determine whether these births were the results of voluntary liaisons (at least on the part of the father) or part of a formal state program. It is unknown what happened to girls born of such unions, as they served no military purpose. It is possible they were abandoned at birth and left to die, or lived to remain helots. According to Myron of Priene , cited by Athenaeus,

5829-448: The rations mentioned by Thucydides for the Helots on Sphacteria are close to normal. Myron's evidence is interpreted as an extrapolation from actions performed on symbolic representatives. In short, Grote writes that "the various anecdotes which are told respecting [Helot] treatment at Sparta betoken less of cruelty than of ostentatious scorn". He has been followed recently by J. Ducat (1974 and 1990), who describes Spartan treatment of

5916-517: The rebellion, and the Athenians assisted in the resettlement of helots in the town of Naupactus on the coast across the Gulf of Corinth from the Peloponnese. During the same war and after the capitulation of the Spartans besieged in Sphacteria, the Athenians installed a garrison in Pylos composed of Messenians from Naupactus . Thucydides underlines that they had hoped to exploit the patriotism of

6003-454: The region, especially in the Samiko area. Most of them have been drained for agricultural purposes; only 10 km² (4 sq miles) has been kept and is now protected. Here lie the ancient ruins of Elis , Epitalion and Olympia , known for the ancient Olympic Games which started in 776 BC. There is a museum with statues that relate to the history of Olympia. Another museum is in Elis, but it

6090-700: The region. Now nearly every household has a telephone. The ΟΤΕ built tens of towers to connect more lines for the internet, telephones, and cell phones to increase the service. Lines began around the mid-20th century to enable more people to communicate by phones in the whole of Greece. There are also several communication towers throughout the prefecture. There are several local radio stations, for instance RSA ( Radio Station of Amalias ) from Amalias and Eleftheri Radiofonas Krestenas from Krestena. There are hundreds of transmitter towers scattered over Elis. Helots The helots ( / ˈ h ɛ l ə t s , ˈ h iː l ə t s / ; Greek : εἵλωτες , heílotes ) were

6177-433: The regional unit Elis was created out of the former prefecture Elis ( Greek : Νομός Ηλείας ). The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below. Before 2006, Elis was divided into two provinces : Elis Province and Olympia Province . Elis Province contained Hollow or Lowland Elis and the northern part of Pisatis . It

6264-439: The same territory. The modern regional unit is nearly coterminous with the ancient Elis of the classical period. Here lie the ancient ruins of cities of Elis , Epitalion and Olympia , known for the ancient Olympic Games which started in 776 BC. The northernmost point of Elis is 38° 06'N, the westernmost is 22° 12′E, the southernmost is 37° 18′N, and the easternmost is 21° 54′E. The length from north to south

6351-469: The south coast of the southwesternmost point of Messenia lie the Messinian Oinousses islands. The largest of these are Sapientza , Schiza and Venetiko . The small island Sphacteria closes off the bay of Pylos . All these islands are virtually uninhabited. Climate may vary, in the lowlands, temperatures are a bit warmer than Athens . Snow is not common during winter months except for

6438-512: The south. There are forest preserves in Foloi and the mountain ranges of Eastern Elis. In the north is the Strofylia forest which has pine trees. Mountain ranges include Movri (around 720 m or 2,400 ft), Divri (around 1500 m), Minthe (around 1100 m), and more. About one-third of the land is fertile; the rest is mountainous and not suitable for crops. Swamplands used to cover 1–1.5% of

6525-432: The temples, rejoicing in their new freedom. The Spartans, however, soon afterwards did away with them, and no one ever knew how each of them perished." Thus Paul Cartledge claims that "the history of Sparta (...) is fundamentally the history of the class struggle between the Spartans and the Helots". Helots were assigned to citizens to carry out domestic work or to work on their klēroi, or portions. The klēroi were

6612-515: The territory of the defeated Byzantine Empire. The region of Elis was the Principality's heartland, containing its capital, Andravida , the port town and mint of Glarentza , the fortress of Chlemoutsi , and the extensive Barony of Akova . The Principality lasted from 1204 until 1432, when it was conquered by the Byzantine Despotate of the Morea , which in turn fell in 1460 to the Ottoman Empire . The Ottoman Empire ruled most of Greece until

6699-421: The text allow us to conclude that this was a failed uprising of helots, only that there was an attempt at escape. Additionally, a helot revolt in Laconia is unlikely, and Messenians would not likely have taken refuge at Cape Taenarus. The uprising coincident with the earthquake of 464 BC is soundly attested to, although Greek historians do not agree on the interpretation of this event. According to Thucydides,

6786-460: The traditional Spartan education. Generally, emancipated helots were referred to as " neodamodes " ( νεοδαμώδεις / neodamōdeis ): those who rejoined the δῆμος / dễmos ( Deme ) of the Perioeci . Moses Finley underscores that the fact helots could serve as hoplites constituted a grave flaw in the system. In effect, the hoplite system was a strict method of training to ensure that discipline

6873-478: The uprising equally to the Messenians and the helots. This version of events is supported by Plutarch. Finally, some authors make responsibility for the uprising with the helots of Laconia. This is the case of Plutarch in his Life of Cimon : the helots of the Eurotas River valley want to use the earthquake to attack the Spartans whom they think are disarmed. The intervention of Archidamus II , who calls

6960-448: The word with the root ϝελ- , wel- , as in ἁλίσκομαι , halískomai , "to be captured, to be made prisoner". In fact, some ancient authors did not consider the term ethnic, but rather an indication of servitude: Antiochus of Syracuse writes: "those of the Lacedaemonians who did not take part in the expedition were adjudged slaves and were named helots", while Theopompus (fragment 122), cited by Athenaeus (VI, 416c), states, "...and

7047-487: The world (with small production) and some into the local markets of Elis from Kyllini and Katakolo. Overfishing is a problem north of Lechaina. In classical antiquity , Elis was an independent state, centred on the town Elis and included the sanctuary at Olympia , where the Ancient Olympic Games were held between 776 BC and 394 AD. After 146 BC, Elis was part of the province Achaea within

7134-608: Was a decisive victory for Greece and its allies. During the World War II several battles of the Greek Resistance against the Nazi occupation forces and the collaborationist security battalions took place in Messenia, including Battle of Meligalas , Battle of Kalamata , Battle of Chora - Agorelitsa . The population in the area of Kalamata and Messene increased from 30,000 before World War II up to nearly 80,000 in

7221-510: Was apparently given to the kryptes , graduates of the difficult agoge who took part in the crypteia . This lack of judicial protection is confirmed by Myron of Priene, who mentions killing as a standard mode of regulation of the Helot population. According to a passage in Thucydides, 2,000 helots were massacred in a carefully staged event in 425 BC or earlier: "The helots were invited by

7308-547: Was conquered and enslaved as helots by ancient Sparta . In the Middle Ages , Messenia shared the fortunes of the rest of the Peloponnese. Striking reminders of these conflicts are afforded by the extant ruins of the medieval strongholds of Kalamata, Coron (anc. Asine, mod. Koroni), Modon (Methoni) and Pylos. Messenia was a part of the Byzantine Empire until 1205, and of the Principality of Achaea thereafter, while

7395-406: Was even intriguing with the helots; and such indeed was the fact, for he promised them freedom and citizenship if they would join him in insurrection, and would help him to carry out his plans to the end. These intrigues did not however lead to a helot uprising; Thucydides indeed implies that Pausanias was turned in by the helots (I, 132, 5 - ...the evidence even of the helots themselves. ) Perhaps

7482-419: Was maintained in the phalanx . The Spartans gained considerable reputation as hoplites, due to tactical capabilities developed through constant training. In addition to this military aspect, to be a hoplite was a key characteristic of Greek citizenship. To introduce helots to this system thus led to inevitable social conflict. Phylarchus mentions a class of men who were at the same time free and non-citizens:

7569-420: Was the smallest, but most populous of the two provinces. The seat was Pyrgos . Olympia Province contained most of Pisatis and Triphylia . Its seat was Andritsaina , in the mountains; Krestena and Zacharo were the largest towns in the province. Elis is the third most populous regional unit of the Peloponnese, after Achaea and Messenia . Between 70% and 75% of the population live on fertile lands away from

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