Ampheia (Ancient Greek: Ἄμφεια) was a town of ancient Messenia, situated on the frontiers of Laconia, upon a hill well supplied with water. It was surprised and taken by the Spartans at the beginning of the First Messenian War, and was made their headquarters in conducting their operations against the Messenians. Its capture was the first act of open hostilities between the two peoples.[1]
Its site is located near the modern Gardiki.[2][3]
After taking this oath, they attacked Ampheia by night, appointing Alcamenes the son of Teleclus leader of the force. Ampheia is a small town in Messenia near the Laconian border, of no great size, but situated on a high hill and possessing copious springs of water. It seemed generally a suitable base for the whole war. The gates being open and the town not garrisoned, they took it and killed the Messenians captured there, some still in their beds and others who had taken refuge at the sanctuaries and altars of the gods when they realized what had happened. Those who escaped were few. Pausanias. Description of Greece. 4.5.9
References
Pausanias. Description of Greece. 4.5.9.
Richard Talbert, ed. (2000). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press. p. 58, and directory notes accompanying.
Lund University. Digital Atlas of the Roman Empire.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857). "Ampheia". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
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