Pausanias Analysis

Indeed the Spartan force placed trust in Emperamus and his words seemed credible to them. The journey was difficult because of the darkness and the ceaseless rain, yet their enthusiasm carried them through. When they arrived at the acropolis of Eira, they scaled it by setting up ladders, or by whatever other means each man could. The Messenians were alerted to the present danger by various signs, but especially by their dogs, which barked not in their usual way, but with a louder and more incessant noise. Understanding then that the final and decisive struggle had come upon them, the Messenians did not pause to arm themselves fully, but seized whatever weapons lay at hand, and rushed out to fight in defense of their native land, the last place remaining to them in all of Messenia.

The first who perceived that the enemies were within and who led the rescue against them were Gorgus, son of Aristomenes, Aristomenes himself, Theoclus the seer, and Manticlus, son of Theoclus, together with them Euergitidas—a man otherwise honored in Messene, but further exalted on account of his wife, for he had married Aristomenes' sister, Hagnagora. The rest, despite realizing that they were caught as if in a net, nevertheless maintained some hope even in their desperate circumstances.

Aristomenes and the seer understood that there was no longer any delay of disaster remaining for the Messenians, knowing also the oracle which the Pythia had delivered obscurely concerning the goat; nevertheless, they concealed it still and kept it secret from the others. Going quickly through the city and approaching everyone they met, whenever they perceived them to be Messenians, they urged them to show themselves good men, and called forth from their houses those still remaining behind.

During that night indeed, nothing worthy of note was accomplished on either side; for on the one hand, their unfamiliarity with the region and the audacity of Aristomenes caused hesitation, while on the other, the Messenians received no prearranged signal from their commanders. Moreover, if any torches had been kindled prematurely or if someone attempted to ignite another type of lamp, the god, by sending rain, would have extinguished it.

But when day came and they were able to see one another clearly, Aristomenes and Theoclus at once sought to urge the Messenians to every kind of desperate courage, instructing them in all considerations that were fitting and especially recalling the daring deeds of the Smyrnaeans—how, though they were Ionians, through bravery and resolve they had driven out Gyges, son of Dascylus, and the Lydians who had occupied their city.

The Messenians, upon hearing this, were filled with despair and gathered themselves together in whatever numbers they could, rushing against the Lacedaemonians. Even the women took up roof tiles and anything else each could find for throwing at the enemy. Indeed, they were prevented from carrying this out and climbing onto the roofs by the violence of the rainstorm; nevertheless, they dared to take up arms and by their courage inspired the men to greater bravery, when the men saw that even the women preferred to perish alongside their country rather than be taken as slaves into Lacedaemon. Thus they might even have overcome their fate.

But the god brought water upon them suddenly, accompanied by a mighty sound of thunder, and dazzled their eyes with flashes of lightning directed right against them. For the Lacedaemonians, all these events raised their spirits, and they declared that the god himself was fighting on their side; and indeed—since lightning flashed for them on the right—Hekas the seer interpreted this omen as favorable.

He also devised the following stratagem. The Spartans greatly outnumbered his force; however, since the battle took place neither in open ground nor in regular formation, but instead was fought with different groups engaging separately in various parts of the city, it happened that the rearmost ranks of each unit were inactive. He ordered these men to withdraw to the camp, partake of food and rest, and then return again before evening, relieving in turn their comrades who had remained to endure the battle.

While the Lacedaemonians, taking their rest and fighting by turns, were making a stronger resistance, difficulty beset the Messenians on every side; for the very same men continued to fight constantly through the day and every night, and were now defending themselves for the third consecutive day. Daylight had already come, and sleeplessness along with the rain and cold from the sky oppressed them, and hunger and thirst assailed them as well. Most of all, the women, unaccustomed to warfare and overwhelmed by constant suffering, had reached the limits of endurance.

Then the seer Theoclus stood beside Aristomenes and said, "Why do you persist in this labor in vain? It is fated that Messene must inevitably fall; long ago the Pythia foretold this misfortune now before our eyes, and recently, too, the fig-tree showed us the same. For me personally, the god brings death shared with my country; but you have come to save the Messenians as best you can—now also save yourself." After speaking thus to Aristomenes, he rushed upon the enemy, and charging against the Lacedaemonians, cried aloud: "Yet know this: you will not forever rejoice in reaping the spoils of Messene!"

After this, he fell upon those who stood against him, slew them, and was himself wounded; but having first sated his fury with the slaughter of his enemies, he yielded up his spirit. Aristomenes called the Messenians back from the battle, except for those who in their valour were fighting in the forefront; these he allowed to remain in their positions. To all the rest he gave orders, keeping the women and children within the ranks, to follow after him wherever he himself might open up a passage.

Over the last of these he appointed Gorgos and Mantiklos as commanders. He himself then ran forward to those stationed at the front, clearly signaling, by nodding his head and waving his spear, that he was requesting passage through and had already determined upon withdrawal. Now Empéramos and the Spartans present agreed to allow the Messenians to depart, not wishing to further enrage men already frantic and driven to an utmost point of desperation; at the same time, the prophet Hekas advised them to act thus.