ince, it fell under the power of the new Persian kingdom, and then successively under the Saracens and Turks. The oppression of the Turkish government has so altered the appearance of this large tract of country, that these fruitful plains, which once were covered with cities, now scarcely exhibit more than a few miserable villages. The lower part of Mesopotamia is now called Irak Arabi, the upper Diar-Bekr. (Laurent's Anc. Geogr., p. 268.-Rennell, Geogra phy of Western Asia, vol. 1, p. 432.)

courtiers with whom the palace of Hadrian had swarm- | sians. After remaining for some time a Roman prov ed. It was on this occasion that the stipend allowed to Mesomedes suffered a reduction. (Jul. Cap., Vit. Ant. Pii, c. 7.)—We have two epigrams of this poet's in the Anthology, and also a piece of a higher character, a Hymn to Nemesis. Judging from this last specimen, Mesomedes must have possessed talents of no mean order. The Hymn to Nemesis was published for the first time, with ancient musical notes, by Fell, at the end of his edition of Aratus, Oxon., 1762, 8vo. It was subsequently given by Burette in the 5th vol. of the Mem. de l'Acad. des Inscr., &c., by Brunck in his Analecta, and by Snedorf in his work, "De Hymnis veterum Græcorum," Hafn., 1786, 8vo. (Schöll, Hist. Lit. Gr., vol. 4, p. 51.)

MESSALA, I. Marcus Valerius Messala Corvinus, a Roman nobleman of ancient family. In the Eusebian Chronicle he is said to have been born A.U.C. 694; but if that date be correct, he would have been MESOPOTAMIA, an extensive province of Asia, the 17 when he joined the republican standard at Philippi. Greek name of which denotes between the rivers (from He acted a prominent part in that battle, and, after it μέσος and ποταμός.) It was situate between the Eu- was lost, was offered the command of the dispersed phrates and the Tigris. The name itself, however, forces of the commonwealth. It is not, therefore, does not appear to have been given to this tract prior likely that he was younger than 21 at this period, to the Macedonian conquest. The southern part of and his birth, consequently, ought not to be fixed later Mesopotamia Xenophon calls Arabia (Anab., 1, 5, 1); than the year 690. In his youth he studied for a and other writers included this country, especially the short time at Athens, along with the son of Cicero. northern part, under the general name of Syria. (Stra- After his return to Rome, his name having appeared bo, 737.) The Romans always regarded Mesopotamia in the roll of the proscribed by the nomination of Anas a mere division of Syria. (Mela, 1, 11.-Plin., 5, tony, he fled from Italy, and sought refuge with the 13.) It is called by the Arabs at the present day army of Brutus and Cassius. Previous, however, to Al Jezira, or "the island." In scripture it is styled the battle of Philippi, his name, along with that of Aram and Aramaa; but as Aram also signifies Syria, Varro, was erased from the fatal list, on the plea that it is denominated, for distinction' sake, Aram Naha- he had not been in Rome at the time of Cæsar's murraim, or the "Syria of the rivers.". It was first peo- der. Varro accepted the proffered pardon, and retired pled by Aram, the father of the Syrians, though little to his studies and his books, among which he afteris known of its history till it became a province of the ward died in the ninetieth year of his age; but it was Persian empire. Cushan-rishthathaim, who is men- indignantly rejected by Messala, who steadily adhered tioned in Judges (3, 8, 10) as king of Mesopotamia, to the cause of the commonwealth. The night before appears to have been only a petty prince of a district the battle of Philippi he supped in private with Caseast of the Euphrates. In the time of Hezekiah, the sius in his tent. That chief had wished to protract different states of Mesopotamia were subject to the the war, and opposed himself to the general desire Assyrians (2 Kings, 19, 13), and subsequently belonged that prevailed in the army to hazard the fortunes of in succession to the Chaldæan, Persian, and Syro-Ma- the republic on one decisive battle. At parting for cedonian monarchies. -Mesopotamia, which inclines the night, he grasped Messala by the hand, and, adfrom the southeast to the northwest, commenced at dressing him in Greek, called him to bear witness that lat. 33° 20′ N., and terminated near N. lat. 37° 30'. he was reduced to the same painful necessity as the Towards the south it extended as far as the bend form- great Pompey, who had been reluctantly forced to ed by the Euphrates at Cunaxa, and to the wall of stake on one throw the safety of his country. On Semiramis, which separated it from Mesene. To- the following day, so fatal to the liberties of Rome, wards the north it was bounded by a part of Mount Messala commanded one of the best legions in the Taurus. The northern part of Mesopotamia, which army of Brutus. After the second defeat at Philippi extended as far as the Chaboras, a tributary of the Eu- he escaped to Thasus, an island in the Egean Sea. phrates, is mountainous, and for the most part fruitful. He was there invited to place himself at the head of The southern portion consists chiefly of reddish hills, the remains of the republican party. But he probably and deserts without any trees, except liquorice-wood; considered the cause of the commonwealth as now and, like the desert of Arabia, suffers, at a distance utterly hopeless, and accordingly listened to the perfrom the rivers, a dearth of food and water. Here, on suasions of Pollio, who undertook to reconcile him to the parched steppes or table-lands, where the simoom the conquerors, and to preserve the lives of those who often breathes destruction, hordes of Arabs have from should surrender under his command. Antony passed the earliest times wandered. When history, therefore, over to Thasus, and, with great appearance of cordispeaks of the Romans and Persians as possessing Mes-ality, received Messala, as well as some of his friends, opotamia, we must understand the northern part, which into favour, and, in return, was put in possession of abounded in all the necessaries of life. The inhabi- the stores which had been amassed in that island for tants of this portion, who still speak an Armeno-Syriac the wreck of the republican forces. Having now joindialect, were called among themselves Mygdonians, ed the arms of Antony, Messala accompanied him in and their district was known by the name of Mygdo- the dissolute progress which he made through the (Polyb., 5, 51.-Steph. Byz., 8. v.) Subse- Roman dominions in Asia, when he received the homquently, under the Syro-Macedonian monarchy, it took age of the tributary kings and settled their disputes. the name of Anthemusia. (Amm. Marcell., 14, 9.- Messala, from his earliest youth, had been distinguishEutrop., 8, 2.-Sextus Rufus, c. 20.) In the time ed for his powers in speaking, and he sometimes plead of the Parthian sway, about 120 B.C., an Arab sheik, before Antony in favour of an accused tetrarch or of Osroes, took possession of the northwestern part of the an injured people. At length, however, the scandaland, wresting a principality in this quarter from the lous and infatuated conduct of Antony, and the comSeleucide of Syria. This district then assumed the parative moderation of Augustus, induced him to name of Osroene. (Steph. Byz., s. v.-Procop., Pers., transfer his services to the latter, whom he continued 1, 17.-Amm. Marcell, 14, 3.) Mesopotamia was fre- to support during the remainder of his life. In the quently the scene of warlike operations, especially be- naval war with Sextus Pompey, he was second in tween the Parthians and Romans, who here lost Cras- command under Agrippa, and, on one occasion du. sus, and between the latter nation and the new Per-ring his absence, had the supreme direction of the

nia.

This

fleet. In the course of this contest he was also for some time stationed with an army on the Neapolitan shore; and Augustus, having been not only defeated, but shipwrecked in one of the many naval engagements which he fought with Pompey, sought shelter in the most wretched condition in the camp of Messala, by whom he was received as a friend and master, and treated with the tenderest care. The death of Sextus Pompey at length opened both sea and land to his successful adversary, and it was quickly followed by the long-expected struggle for superiority between Antony and Augustus.-Messala was consul in A.U.C. 721, the year of the battle of Actium, in which he bore a distinguished part. After that decisive victory and the firm establishment of the throne of Augustus, he lived the general favourite of all parties, and the chief ornament of a court where he still asserted his freedom and dignity. While at Rome he resided in a house on the Palatine Hill, which had formerly belonged to Marc Antony; but he was frequently absent from the capital on the service of the state. War after war was intrusted to his conduct, and province after province was committed to his administration. In some of his foreign expeditions he was accompanied by the poet Tibullus, who has celebrated the military exploits of Messala in his famed panegyric, and his own friendship and attachment to his patron in his elegies. The triumph which Messala obtained in 727, for his victories in a Gallic campaign, completed the measure of his military honours; and he filled in succession all the most important civil offices in the state. Besides holding the consulship in 721, he was elected into the college of Augurs, and was intrusted with the superintendence of the aqueducts, one of those great public works for which Rome has been so justly celebrated. In 736, on account of the absence of Augustus and Mæcenas from the capital, he was nominated prefect of the city; but he resigned that situation a few days after his appointment, regarding it as inconsistent with the ancient constitution of his country. He is also believed to have been the person who, by command of the Conscript fathers, first saluted Augustus in the senatehouse as the "Father of his country;" a distinction which was bestowed in a manner that drew tears from the master of the Roman world (Suet., Aug., 58), and a reply, in which he declared that, having attained the summit of his wishes, he had nothing more to desire from the immortal gods but a continuance of the same attachment till the last moments of his life. From this period the name of Messala is scarcely once mentioned by any contemporary writer. He survived, however, ten or twelve years longer. Tiberius Ca-rector of all his literary pursuits. It is natural to supsar, who was then a youth, fond of the liberal arts, and by no means ignorant of literature, paid Messala, when in his old age, much deference and attention, and attempted to imitate his style of oratory. (Suet., Tib., c. 70.) Towards the close of his life he was dreadfully afflicted with ulcers in the sacra spina; and it is said that, two years before his death., he was deprived of both sense and memory. He at length forgot his own name (Plin, 7, 24), and became incapable of putting two words together with meaning. It is mentioned in the Eusebian Chronicle that he perished by abstaining from food when he had reached the age of seventy-two; but if he were born in 690, as is supposed, this computation would extend his existence till the close of the reign of Augustus, which is inconsistent with a passage of the dialogue "De causis corrupta eloquentia," where it is said, "Corvinus in medium usque Augusti principatum, Asinus pæne ad extremum duravit." Now the middle of the reign of Augustus cannot be fixed later than the year 746, when Messala could only have attained the age of fifty-six. His death was deeply lamented, and his funeral elegy was written by Ovid. (Ep., ex. Pont.,

1, 7.)-Though Messala had attained the highest point of exaltation, in an age of the most violent political factions and the most flagrant moral corruption, he left behind him a spotless character; being chiefly known as a disinterested patron of learning, and a steady supporter, so far as was then possible, of the principles of the ancient constitution. Messala," says Berwick, "had the singular merit of supporting an unblemished character in a most despotic court, without making a sacrifice of those principles for which he had fought in the fields of Philippi; and the genuine integrity of his character was so deeply impressed on all parties, that it attracted a general admiration in a most corrupt age. He was brave, eloquent, and virtuous; he was liberal, attached to letters, and his patronage was considered as the surest passport to the gates of fame, and extended to every man who was at all conversant with letters. character is supported by history, is not contradicted by contemporary writers, and is sealed by the impartial judgment of posterity. No writer, either ancient or modern, has ever named Messala without some tribute of praise. Cicero soon perceived that he possessed an assemblage of excellent qualities, which he would have more admired had he lived to see them expanded and matured to perfection. Messala was his disciple, and rivalled his master in eloquence. In the opinion of the judicious Quintilian, his style was neat and elegant, and in all his speeches he displayed a superior nobility. In the Dialogue of Orators, he is said to have excelled Cicero in the sweetness and correctness of his style. His taste for poetry and polite literature will admit of little doubt, when we call to mind that he was protected by Cæsar, favoured by Mecenas, esteemed by Horace, and loved by Tibullus. Horace, in one of his beautiful odes, praises Messala in the happiest strains of poetry, calls the day he intended to pass with him propitious, and promises to treat him with some of his most excellent wine. For,' says the poet, though Messala is conversant with all the philosophy of Socrates and the Academy, he will not decline such entertainment as my humble board can supply.' (Od., 3, 21.) The modest Tibullus flattered himself with the pleasing hope of Messala's paying him a visit in the country, where,' says he, my beloved Delia shall assist in doing the honours for so noble a guest' (1, 5). The rising genius of Ovid was admired and encouraged by Messala; and this condescension the exiled bard has acknowledged in an epistle to his son Messalinus, dated from the cold shores of the Euxine. In this letter Ovid calls Messala his friend, the light and di

pose that an intimacy subsisted between Messala and Virgil, and yet no historical circumstance has come to our knowledge sufficient to evince it. The poem called Ciris, which is dedicated to Messala, and has been ascribed to Virgil by some grave authorities, grows more suspicious every day. Tacitus, whose judgment of mankind is indisputable, and whose decision is not always in the most favourable point of view, seems fond of praising Messala; and in a speech given to Silius, the consul-elect, he considers him among the few great characters who have risen to the highest honours by their integrity and eloquence. (Ann., 11, 6.) Even Tiberius himself, when a youth, took him for his master and pattern in speaking; and happy would it have been for the Roman people had he also taken him for his guide and pattern in virtue." (Berwick's Lives, p. 59, seqq.)-Messala was united to Terentia, who had been first married to Cicero, and subsequently to Sallust, the historian. After the death of Messala, she entered, in extreme old age, into a fourth marriage, with a Roman senator, who used to say that he possessed the two greatest curiosities in Rome, the widow of Cicero, and the chair

in which Julius Cæsar had been assassinated. Messala left by Terentia two sons, Marcus and Lucius. The elder of these, who was consul in 751, took the name of Messalinus; he greatly distinguished himself under Tiberius, when that prince commanded, before his accession to the empire, in the war of Pannonia. (Vell. Paterc., 2, 112.) Messalinus inherited his father's eloquence, and also followed the example he had set in devoted attachment to Augustus, and the patronage he extended to literature. But, during the reign of Tiberius, he was chiefly noted as one of the most servile flatterers of that tyrant. (Tacit., Ann., 3, 18.) The younger son of Messala assumed the name of Cotta, from his maternal family, and acted a conspicuous, though by no means reputable part in the first years of Tiberius. Both brothers were friends and protectors of Ovid, who addressed to Messalinus two of his epistles from Pontus, which are full of respect for the memory of his illustrious father. (Dunlop's Roman Lat., vol. 3, p. 53, seqq., Lond. ed.)

formed a union with the parent city of Chalcis in Eubæa, in consequence of which a considerable body of colonists, coming from Chalcis and the rest of Eubœa, participated in the distribution of the lands. (Thucyd., 1. c.) Chalcis had previously founded the city of Naxos on the eastern coast below; and it is probable that a part of the new population came from this latter place. On this supposition, at least, we can reconcile with the statement of Thucydides the account of Strabo, who informs us that Zancle was a settlement of the Naxians who dwelt near Catana (Nažiwv Kтiouа тшν прòç Karávy. - Strabo, 268). Zancle went on silently increasing in strength, and was soon powerful enough to found the city of Himera (Thu cyd., 6, 5), and to carry on a successful warfare against the neighbouring Siculi in the interior. As it was, however, the only Grecian city in this corner of the island, it sought to strengthen itself by new accessions from abroad; and, accordingly, the Ionians of Asia Minor were invited to send a colony to the "Beautiful MESSALINA, I. Valeria, the first wife of the Emper- Shore” (Kaλǹ 'Akτn), which lay along the coast of or Claudius, dishonoured his throne by her unbridled Sicily on the Tyrrhene Sea. (Herod., 6, 22.) This and disgusting incontinence. Her cruelty equalled happened about the period when Miletus was destroyed her licentiousness. After a long career of guilt, she by the Persians, and when the other Greek cities of openly married a young patrician named Silius, du- Lower Asia had either to submit to the yoke of Darius, ring the absence of the emperor, who had gone on a or imitate the example which the Phocæans had set in visit to Ostia. Narcissus, the freedman of Claudius, the time of Cyrus. The Samians, therefore, and a body was the only one who dared to inform Claudius of the of Milesians who had escaped being led into captivity, fact, and, when he had roused the sluggish resentment embraced the offer of the people of Zancle. They landof his imperial master, he brought him to Rome. The ed at Locri, on the Italian coast; but Scythes, the king arrival of Claudius dispersed in an instant all who had or tyrant of Zancle, would seem to have made no prepthronged around Messalina; but still, though thus de-arations whatever for receiving them, being engaged at serted, she resolved to brave the storm, and sent to the emperor demanding to be heard. Narcissus, however, fearing the effect of her presence on the feeble spirit of her husband, despatched an order, as if coming from him, for her immediate punishment. The order found her in the gardens of Lucullus. She endeavoured to destroy herself, but her courage failing, she was put to death by a tribune who had been sent for that purpose, A.D. 48. (Tacit., Ann., 11 et 12. -Suetonius, Vit. Claud.)-II. Called also Statilia, the grand-daughter of Statilius Taurus, who had been consul, and had enjoyed a triumph during the reign of Augustus. She was married four times before she came to the imperial throne. The last of her four husbands was Atticus Vestinus, a man of consular rank, who had ventured to aspire to her hand, although he was not ignorant that he had Nero for a rival. The tyrant, who had long favoured Vestinrs as one of the companions of his debaucheries, now resolved to destroy him, and accordingly compelled him to open his veins. Messalina was transferred to the imperial bed. After the death of Nero she endeavoured to regain her former rank, as empress, by means of Otho, whom she had captivated by her beauty, and hoped to espouse. But Otho's fall having destroyed all these expectations, she turned her attention to literary subjects, and obtained applause by some public discourses which she delivered. (Biogr. Univ., vol. 28, p. 431.)

MESSALINUS, M. Valerius, son of Valerius Messala Corvinus. (Consult remarks at the close of the article Messala.)

MESSANA, an ancient and celebrated city of Sicily, situate on the straits which separate Italy from that island. The first settlers in this quarter would seem to have been a body of wandering Siculi, who gave the place, from the scythelike form of its harbour, the name of Zancle (Záуkλŋ, “a scythe"). The Siculi were not a commercial race, and therefore could not avail themselves of the superior advantages for trade which the spot afforded; they, in consequence, finally left it. To them succeeded a band of pirates from Cuma in Campania. (Thucyd., 6, 4.) These settled in the place, and, to give the new colony more stability,

the time in besieging one of the cities of the Siculi. Anaxilas, tyrant of Rhegium, who was on no friendly footing with his neighbours in Zancle, took advantage of this circumstance. He proceeded to Locri, told the newcomers to give up all thought of a settlement in that quarter, that Zancle was undefended and might easily be taken, and that he would aid them in the attempt. The enterprise succeeded, Zancle was taken, and the inhabitants became united as one common people with their new invaders. The Samians, however, were not long after driven out by the same Anaxilas who had aided in their attempt on Zancle. He established here, according to Thucydides (6, 5), “a mixed race," and called the city by a new name, "Messana" (Mɛocúva), as well from the country (Messenia) whence he was anciently descended, as from a body of Messenian exiles whom he settled here. Messana (or, as the Attić writers call it, Messene, Mɛoonvn), soon became a very flourishing city, both by reason of its very fruitful territory and its advantageous situation for commerce. It was also a place of some strength, and the citadel of Messana is often mentioned in history. (Diod., 14, 87.-Polyb., 1, 10.) Messana was regarded also by the Greeks as the key of Sicily (Thucyd., 4, 1), as being the place, namely, to which vessels cruising from Greece to Sicily directed their course on leaving the Iapygian promontory. (Bloomfield, ad Thucyd., l. c.) And yet, notwithstanding all these advantages, it was never other than an unlucky płace, always undergoing changes, and unable at any time to play an important part in the affairs of Sicily; for its wealth, and its advantageous situation as regarded the passage from Italy into the island, always made it a tempting prize to the ambitious and powerful princes around. No Greek city, therefore, experienced more frequent changes of rulers than this, and none contained within its walls a more mixed population.At a later period (Ol. 96, 1), Messatra fell into the hands of the Carthaginians, who destroyed it (Diod., 14, 56, seqq.), being aware of their inability at that time to retain a place so far distant from their other strongholds, and not wishing it to come again into the possession of their opponents. Dionysius of Syracuse, however, began to rebuild it in the same year, and,

The

besides establishing in it the remnant of the former in- MESSENE, a daughter of Triopas, king of Argos, habitants, added a considerable number of Locrians, who married Polycaon, son of Lelex, king of Laconia. Methymnæans, and Messenian exiles. The latter, She encouraged her husband to levy troops, and to however, through fear of offending the Lacedæmonians, seize a part of the Peloponnesus, which, after it had were afterward transferred to the district of Abacene, been conquered, received her name. (Pausan., 4, 1.) and there founded Tyndaris. Messana thus came to MESSENE (or, in the Doric dialect of the country, contain as mixed a population as before. (Diod., 14, Messana, Mɛooúva), the chief city of Messenia, in the 78.) It remained under the sway of Dionysius and Peloponnesus: situate at the foot of Mount Ithome, his son; and subsequently, after enjoying a short pe- and founded by Epaminondas. It is said to have riod of freedom, it passed into the hands of Agathocles. been completed and fortified in eighty-five days, so (Diod., 19, 102.) The following year the inhabitants great was the zeal and activity displayed by the Therevolted from his sway, and put themselves under the bans and their allies in this undertaking. (Diod. protection of the Carthaginians. (Diod., 19, 110.) Sic., 15, 66.) Pausanias informs us, that the walls of Soon, however, a new misfortune befell the unlucky this city were the strongest he had ever seen, being city. It was seized by the Mamertini (vid. Mamerti- entirely of stone, and well supplied with towers and ni), its male inhabitants were either slaughtered or buttresses. The citadel was situated on Mount Ithdriven out, and their wives and children became the ome, celebrated in history for the long and obstinate property of the conquerors. Messana now took the defence which the Messenians there made against the name of Mamertina, though in process of time the other Spartans in their last revolt. The history of this city appellation once more gained the ascendancy. (Po- is identified with that of Messenia, which latter article lyb., 1, 7.-Diod., 21, 13.—Plin., 3, 7.) This act of may hence be consulted.-The ruins of Messene are perfidy and cruelty passed unpunished. Syracuse was visible, as we learn from Sir W. Gell, at Maurommati, too much occupied with intestine commotions to attend a small village, with a beautiful source, under Ithome, to it, and the Carthaginians gladly made a league with in the centre of the ancient city. (Itin., p. 59.the Mamertini, since by them Pyrrhus would be pre- Cramer's Anc. Greece, vol. 3, p. 150.—Gell's Itin. of vented from crossing over into Sicily and seizing on a the Morea, p. 60.-Dodwell, vol. 2, p. 365.) post so important to his future operations. (Diod., 22, MESSENIA, a country of the Peloponnesus, between 8.) The Mamertini, however, could not lay aside their Laconia, Elis, Arcadia, and the Ionian Sea. old habits of robbery. They harassed all their neigh-river Neda formed the boundary towards Elis and Arbours, and even became troublesome to Syracuse, cadia. From the latter country was farther divided where King Hiero had at last succeeded in establish- by an irregular line of mountains, extending in a southing order and tranquillity. This monarch defeated easterly direction to the chain of Taygetus on the Lathe lawless banditti, and would have taken their city, conian border. This celebrated range marked the had not the Carthaginians interposed to defend it. A limits of the province to the east, as far as the source body of these, with the approbation of part of the in- of the little river Pamisus, which completed the line habitants, took possession of the citadel; while another of separation from the Spartan territory to the south. portion of the inhabitants called in the assistance of (Strabo, 361.-Cramer's Anc. Greece, vol. 3, p. 130.) the Romans, and thus the first of the Punic wars had Its area is calculated by Clinton at 1162 square miles. its origin. (Vid. Punicum Bellum, and compare Po- (Fast. Hell., vol. 2, p. 385.) Messenia is described lyb., 1, 9, seqq.-Diod., 22, 15.-Id., 23, 2, seqq.) by Pausanias as the most fertile province of PeloponMessana and the Mamertines remained from hence- nesus (4, 15, 3), and Euripides, in a passage quoted forth under the Roman power; but the city, as before, by Strabo (366), speaks of it as a land well watered, could never enjoy any long period of repose. It suf- very fertile, with beautiful pastures for cattle, and posfered in the early civil wars between Marius and Sylla, sessing a climate neither too cold in winter nor too in the war of the slaves in Sicily, and, more particular- hot in summer. The western part of the country is y, in the contest between Sextus Pompey and the tri-drained by the river Pamisus, which rises in the umvir Octavianus. Messana formed during this war mountains between Arcadia and Messenia, and flows the chief station of Pompey's fleet, and his principal southward into the Messenian Gulf. The basin of place of supply, and the city was plundered at its close. the Pamisus is divided into two distinct parts, which (Appian, B. Civ., 5, 122.) A Roman colony was af- are separated from each other on the east by some terward planted here. (Mannert, Geogr., vol. 9, pt. high land that stretches from the Taygetus to the Pa2, p. 267, seqq.)-The modern Messina corresponds misus, and on the western side of the river by Mount to the ancient city. Even in later times, the fates Ithome. The upper part, usually called the plain of seem to have conspired against this unfortunate place. Stenyclerus, is of small extent and moderate fertility; A plague swept away a great part of the inhabitants; but the lower part, south of Ithome, is an extensive then rebellion spread its ravages; and finally, the dread-plain, celebrated in ancient times for its great fertility, ful earthquake in 1783 completed the downfall of a city which rivalled, if it did not surpass, Palermo. (Hoare's Classical Tour, vol. 2, p. 203.) Although the town has since been rebuilt according to a regular plan and although it has been declared a free port, Messina is not so important as it once was. It contained before the last catastrophe a hundred thousand inhabitants: the present population does not amount to seventy thousand. (Malte Brun, Geogr., vol. 7, p. 732, Am. ed.)

MESSAPIA, a country of Italy in Magna Græcia, commonly supposed to have been the same with Iapygia, but forming, in strictness, the interior of that part of Italy. The town of Messapia, mentioned by Pliny (3, 11), is thought to have communicated its name to the Messapian nation. The generality of Italian topographers identify the site of this ancient town with that of Messagna, between Oria and Brindisi. (Pratili, Via Appia, 4, 8.-Romanelli, vol. 2, p. 127.— Cramer's Anc. Italy, vol. 2, p. 312.)

whence it was frequently called Macaria, or "the blessed." Leake describes it as covered at the present day with plantations of the vine, the fig, and the mul berry, and "as rich in cultivation as can well be imagined." (Travels in the Morea, vol. 1, p. 352.) The western part of Messana is diversified by hills and valleys, but contains no high mountains. (Encycl. Us. Knowl., vol. 15, p. 126.)-We learn from Pausanias (4, 1, 2), that Messenia derived its appellation from Messene, wife of Polycaon, one of the earliest sovereigns of the country. He also observes, that whenever this name occurs in Homer, it denotes the prov. ince rather than the city of Messene, which he conceives did not exist till the time of Epaminondas. (Compare Strabo, 358.) At the period of the Trojan war, it appears from the poet that Messenia was partly under the dominion of Menelaus, and partly under that of Nestor. This is evident from the towns which he has assigned to these respective leaders, and is farther confirmed by the testimony of Strabo and Pausanias,

willingly emigrated, and, under Phalanthus, one of their own number, they founded the city of Tarentum in Italy. (Vid. Parthenii.)-During forty years Messenia bore the yoke. But the oppression of the inhabitants was grievous, and imbittered with every circumstance of insult, and the Grecian spirit of independ ence was yet strong in them; they only wanted a leader, and a leader was found in Aristomenes, a youth of the royal line. Support being promised from Argos and Arcadia, allies of his country in a former war, Aristomenes attacked a body of Lacedæmonians, and, though not completely successful, did such feats of valour that the Messenians would have chosen him king; but he declined it, and was made general-inchief. His next adventure was an attempt to practise on the superstitious fears of the enemy. Sparta having neither walls nor watch, he easily entered it alone by night, and hung against the Brazen House (a sininscription declaring that Aristomenes, from the spoils of the Spartans, dedicated that shield to the goddess. Alarmed lest their protecting goddess should be won from them, the Lacedæmonians sent to consult the Delphian oracle, and were directed to take an Athenian adviser. The Athenians, though far from wish

(Strab., 350.-Pausan., 4, 3.) In the division of the Peloponnesus, made after the return of the Heraclidæ, Messenia fell to the share of Cresphontes, son of Aristodemus, with whom commenced the Dorian line, which continued without interruption for many generations. In the middle of the eighth century before the Christian era, a series of disputes and skirmishes arose on the borders of Messenia and Laconia, which gave rise to a confirmed hatred between the two nations. Prompted by this feeling, the Spartans are said to have bound themselves by an oath never to return home till Messenia was subdued; and they commenced the contest by a midnight attack on Ampheia, a frontier town, which they took, and put the inhabitants to the sword. This was the commencement of what was called the First Messenian War, the date of which is usually given, though it cannot be believed with certainty, as B.C. 743. Euphaës, the Messenian king, had wisdom, howev-gularly venerated temple of Minerva) a shield, with an er, and courage sufficient for the crisis. Aware of the Lacedæmonian superiority in the field, he protracted the war, avoiding battles and defending the towns. In the fourth year, however, a battle was fought with great slaughter and doubtful success. But the Messenians were suffering from garrison-confinement and the constant plundering of their lands.ing the subjugation of Messenia, yet feared to offend New measures were taken. The people were collect- the god if they refused compliance; but, in granting ed from the inland posts at Ithome, a place of great what was asked, they hoped to make it useless, and natural strength, and open to supplies by sea, the sent Tyrtæus, a poet, and supposed to be of no ability. Lacedæmonians having no fleet. Meanwhile they The choice proved better than they intended, since asked advice of the Delphic oracle, which bade them the poetry of Tyrtæus being very popular, kept up the sacrifice to the infernal deities a virgin of the blood spirit of the people in all reverses.-The Messenian of Epytus, son of the Heracleid Cresphontes. Im- army had now been re-enforced from Argos, Elis, Arpelled by patriotism or ambition, Aristodemus offered cadía, and Sicyon, and Messenian refugees came in his own daughter; and, when it was intended to save daily the Lacedæmonians had been joined by the her by falsely denying her virginity, in his rage he slew Corinthians alone. They met at Caprusema, where, her with his own hand. The fame of the obedience by the desperate courage of the Messenians, and the paid to the oracle so far disheartened the enemy, that conduct and extraordinary personal exertions of their the war languished for five years; in the sixth an in- leader, the Lacedæmonians were routed with such vasion took place, and a battle, bloody and indecisive slaughter that they were on the point of suing for like the former. Euphaes was killed, and left no is- peace. Tyrtæus diverted them from this submission, sue, and Aristodemus was elected to succeed him. and persuaded them to recruit their numbers by assoThe new prince was brave and able, and the Lacedæ- ciating some Helots, a measure very galling to Sparmonians, weakened by the battle, confined themselves tan pride. Meanwhile Aristomenes was ever harassfor four years to predatory incursions. At last they ing them with incursions. In one of these he carried again invaded Messenia, and were defeated; but, in off from Caryæ a number of Spartan virgins assemthe midst of his success, Aristodemus was so pos-bled to celebrate the festival of Diana. He had formsessed with remorse for his daughter's death, that he ed a body-guard of young and noble Messenians, slew himself on her tomb, and deprived his country of who always fought by his side, and to their charge the only leader able to defend her. Ithome was be- he gave the captives. Heated with wine, the young sieged. The famished inhabitants found means to men attempted to violate their chastity, and Arispass the Lacedæmonian lines, and fled for shelter and tomenes, after vainly remonstrating, killed the most subsistence, some to neighbouring states where they refractory with his own hand, and, on receiving their had claims of hospitality, others to their ruined homes ransom, restored the girls uninjured to their paand about their desolated country. Ithome was dis- rents. Another time, in an assault on Ægila, he mantled; and those who remained of the Messenians is said to have been made prisoner by some Sparwere allowed to occupy most of the lands, paying half tan women there assembled, who repelled the assault the produce to Sparta.-The absence from home to with a vigour equal to that of the men; but one of which the Lacedæmonians had bound themselves, be- them who had previously loved him favoured his escame, by the protraction of the war, an evil threaten-cape. In the third year of the war, another battle ing the existence of the state, no children being born took place at Megaletaphrus, the Messenians being to supply the waste of war and natural decay. The joined by the Arcadians alone. Through the treachremedy said to have been adopted was a strange one, ery of Aristocrates, prince of Orchomenus, the Arcadihighly characteristic of Lacedæmon, and such as no an leader, the Messenians were surrounded and cut to other people would have used. The young men who pieces, and Aristomenes, escaping with a scanty remhad come to maturity since the beginning of the war nant, was obliged to give up the defence of his country, were free from the oath, and they were sent home to and collect his forces at Ira, a stronghold near the sea. cohabit promiscuously with the marriageable virgins. Here he supplied the garrison by plundering excurBut even at Sparta this expedient, in some degree, sions, so ably conducted as to foil every precaution of ran counter to the popular feelings. When the war the besiegers, insomuch that they forbade all culture was ended, and the children of this irregular inter- of the conquered territory, and even of part of Laconia. course were grown to manhood, though bred in all the At last, falling in with a large body of Lacedæmonians discipline of Lycurgus, they found themselves gener- under both their kings, after an obstinate defence he ally slighted. Their spirit was high, their discontent was struck down and taken, with about fifty of his dangerous; and it was thought prudent to offer them band. The prisoners were thrown as rebels into a the means of settling out of Peloponnesus. They deep cavern, and all were killed by the fall except