the capital of Messenia in Greece, was founded by Epaminondas in 369 B.C. In the building of this city, which was situated at the foot of Mount Ithome, the Thespians, along with the Messenians and their other allies, took part, and the buildings and fortifications were finished after eighty-five days. As Messene was erected in order to enable the Messenians to regain their independence and form a check to the power of Sparta, which then threatened the liberties of Greece, the place was made one of great strength, being inferior in that respect to few Greek cities. The citadel of Messene, which is inclosed within the city walls, stands on Mount Ithome, an elevation 2631 feet in height, which was celebrated in the first and third Messenian wars for its defence against the Spartans. The town of Messene was situated in a hollow to the S.W. of the citadel, and having Mount Eva on the S.E., between which and Ithome the walls were carried along a narrow range. The whole circuit of the walls is about 6 English miles; and the town was probably made of such an extent in order to accommodate the inhabitants of the neighbouring country, who might take refuge here in time of war, as a great part of the inclosed area must have been quite unfit for building. A description of the town and its principal edifices is given by Pausanias; and Strabo mentions the resemblance between the rock of Ithome and that of the citadel of Corinth. The town continued to exist until towards the end of the Roman Empire; but after that time it fell into decay, and the site is now partly occupied by the modern village of Mauromati, near which many remains are yet to be seen of the ancient buildings and walls.