Artas was a strong ally of Athens during the Pelopponesian War and led an anti-Spartan campaign against Taras.
The Athenian cultivation of Artas was therefore a good way to create difficulties for the Spartan colony of Taras.
[5] In 413 BC, Artas supplied the Athenians with one hundred and fifty javelin-throwers for the war against Syracuse.
[6] Artas made the Messapian state into a major military and political centre in the affairs of Magna Graecia.
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