The historical context of the city wall of Messene: preconditions, written sources, success balance, and societal impacts

Abstract

In this article I analyse the historical circumstances surrounding
the construction of the city wall of Messene in
the Peloponnese, the information which can be gathered
from ancient written sources about this fortification in
general and its success later on in Antiquity, as well as its
impact upon the people living within it. Finally I consider
in what way the monument itself may be taken as a source
for the history of those times.