Pausanias Analysis

When the Lacedaemonians heard of the oracle given to the Messenians, both they themselves and their kings became disheartened regarding the future and grew hesitant to offer battle. But in the sixth year after Lyciscus had escaped from Ithome, the Lacedaemonians—since the omens from their sacrifices had become favorable—marched against Ithome. The Cretans, however, were no longer there to assist them. And now the allies of the Messenians also fell away, as the Spartans had become suspicious not only of certain other Peloponnesians but especially of the Arcadians and Argives. The Argives intended secretly to withdraw from the Spartans, planning to act on their own initiative rather than according to a common decision. As for the Arcadians, though their participation had been openly announced, even they did not present themselves for battle. Thus, it was the reputation of the oracle itself that emboldened the Messenians to risk combat even without allies.

For the most part the events differed little from the previous battle, and this day too ended with the combatants still fighting. However, they record that neither wing nor formation was forced back, since indeed the original order of battle was not maintained; instead, the best warriors from both sides came together in the center, and it was there that the entire struggle took place.

For Euphaes, who fought more zealously than was fitting even for a king, attacking recklessly those around Theopompus, received many wounds, which were severe and incurable. When he finally lost strength and fell, the Lacedaemonians attempted in haste to drag him toward themselves while he still breathed slightly. But the Messenians were roused both by the good-will they previously bore to Euphaes and by the shame they would incur if they failed: it seemed preferable to them to lose their lives fighting for their king rather than to permit his capture and afterward save themselves.

Then indeed, Euphaes, having fallen, prolonged the battle and increased the daring deeds on both sides even further. Afterwards, he recovered enough to realize clearly that they had fared no worse in the encounter, yet within a few days he died, having ruled the Messenians for thirteen years and having fought against the Lacedaemonians throughout his entire reign.

Since Euphaes had no children, the one chosen by the people was destined to succeed to the throne. Cleonnis and Damis, however, came forward disputing the right of Aristodemus, claiming superiority especially in matters related to warfare. But the enemy killed Antandros, the son of Euphaes, as he took risks in battle ahead of others. And the opinions of both the seers, Epebolus and Ophioneus, agreed on the same point—that the people must not entrust to Aristodemus the honor of Aepytus and his descendants, as he was under a curse and stained by the pollution incurred through his daughter.

Nevertheless, Aristodemus was chosen and became king. Ophioneus, the prophet of the Messenians, who had been blind from birth, possessed an extraordinary mode of divination: upon inquiring into current events, both matters concerning individuals privately and affairs of the state, he was thus able to foretell accurately what was to come. Such was Ophioneus' manner of prophecy. As for Aristodemus, after becoming king, he consistently endeavored to act with goodwill towards the people, while also extending honor to those in authority, and particularly above all to Cleonnis and Damis. He maintained the alliance carefully through friendship, sending gifts to the influential Arcadians and likewise to Argos and Sicyon.

During the reign of Aristodemus, warfare consisted of continual raiding in small bands upon one another and incursions into each other's territories around harvest-time. The Messenians also made joint invasions into Laconia, supported by contingents from the Arcadians. The Argives, on the other hand, deemed it improper to openly declare their hostility toward the Lacedaemonians beforehand, yet they held themselves ready to join the conflict once it had begun.