Messenian Wars + Helots

Question 1

Where is Messenia

Answer 1

It is located in the southwestern corner of the Peloponnese, to the west of Sparta.

Question 2

How many Messenian Wars were there

Answer 2

Three, the first was between 735 and 715 BCE, which was the Spartan conquest when the satellite state of Messenia was established, and the second c. 660 BCE which was the unsuccessful revolt against the Spartan regime. Messenia was where the Spartans got their slaves. The third one we do not know much about.

Question 3

How do we know about the second Messenian War

Answer 3

Pausanias - 110 - 180 AD, Greek Traveler and Geographer

Question 4

What was the main type of soldier which the Spartans used to fight the Messenians

Answer 4

Hoplite

Question 5

What were Hoplites generally armed with

Answer 5

They wore a large bronze helmet, breastplate, ankle guards, and had a round shield of bronze and woods (Hoplons) covered you and the person next to you., and had a long spear and sword.

Question 6

What were the causes of the later Messenian Wars

Answer 6

Helot Uprising

Question 7

What was a helot

Answer 7

A Spartan Slave, a much need part of Spartan ruling

Question 8

What tasks did helots carry out

Answer 8

They did general agricultural work, and as such was the main backbone of the Spartan economy

Question 9

How did the Spartans control the helots

Answer 9

They were brutally oppressive to them, gave them no freedom, not allowed to be freed

Question 10

What effect did the possession of helots have on Sparta

Answer 10

By having mountains of slaves, Sparta was able to progress rapidly, and become incredibly developed for its time. It also meant that the Spartan men could spend more time away fighting wars