Greek Wars
First Messenian War
This conflict was one of the earliest recorded wars on the European continent and took place between Sparta and Messenia. The war itself began in 743 BC with the battle of Amphia.
The village of Amphia was occupied by the Spartans, who continued to expand until 740 BC, when the Messenians succeeded in expelling the Spartans. The Messenians nevertheless fortified themselves on Mount Ithóme. The battle for this mountain was fought in 728 BC and again the Messenians, led by King Aristodemus, were victorious. This king died in 724 BC and his successor had already succumbed to the Spartans. Subsequently, the entire population acknowledged defeat and the war ended.
However, this was the impetus for the Second Messenian War, which took place 100 years later.