Pausanias Analysis

At that moment, deserters reported to the Lacedaemonians that Aristomenes had returned alive. But since this seemed as incredible to them as if someone were said to have risen from the dead, Aristomenes himself soon provided clear evidence of his survival. For the Corinthians sent a force to aid the Lacedaemonians in capturing Eira.

When Aristomenes learned from his scouts that they proceeded carelessly on the march and neglected their camps' defense, he attacked them by night. While most of them were still sleeping, he killed a great number, including their commanders Hypermenides, Achladaeus, Lysistratus, and Sidectus. After plundering the tent of the Spartan generals, he made it clear to the Spartans beyond doubt that it was Aristomenes and no other Messenian who had performed these deeds.

He sacrificed also to Zeus Ithomatas the offering they call "Hekatomphonia" (the sacrifice for one hundred slain). This practice was very anciently established, and it was customary among the Messenians to offer it whenever they had slain one hundred enemies. Aristomenes first offered this sacrifice after he had fought at the tomb of Kapros; a second occasion was provided for him by the slaughter of the Corinthians during the night. They say he also performed this sacrifice a third time after his subsequent attacks; but the Lacedaemonians—for he was advancing toward them—

On account of the festival of Hyacinthia, they arranged a truce of forty days with the men in Eira. Having withdrawn themselves, the Lacedaemonians returned home to observe the festival; however, the Cretan archers—mercenaries whom they had summoned from Lyktos and other cities—roamed through Messenia. Aristomenes, having due to the truce ventured far from Eira and traveling onward in somewhat less guarded fashion, was ambushed by seven of these archers, who captured him and bound him with the straps they carried for their quivers.

For evening was approaching. Therefore two of them went to Sparta and announced to the Lacedaemonians the good news that Aristomenes had been captured. The others withdrew to a farmstead within Messenia. There lived there a maiden girl with her mother, orphaned of her father. On the previous night the girl had seen a vision: wolves had brought into their farm a lion that was bound and had no claws; but she herself released the lion from its bonds and having found its claws, gave them back to it. Thus it appeared to her that the lion tore apart the wolves.

At that time, as the Cretans were bringing Aristomenes in, the maiden recognized clearly the vision she had seen during the night. She asked her mother who the man might be, and having learned his identity she grew resolute. Gazing upon Aristomenes, she understood the command that had been given to her. Pouring wine without restraint for the Cretans, when drunkenness overcame them she removed a dagger from the one who had fallen most deep asleep. With it, the maiden cut Aristomenes' bonds; and he, taking the sword, dispatched the guards. Gorgus, Aristomenes' son, later took this maiden as his wife. Indeed, Aristomenes gave her to his son, wishing thus to repay the debt of his deliverance, although Gorgus was not yet eighteen years of age at the time of their marriage.