660–650 BC between the Ancient Greek states of Messenia and Sparta,[1][2] with localized resistance possibly lasting until the end of the century.
During the period prior to conquest, Sparta dealt with overpopulation in the Laconia region by assimilating other Laconians as perioeci ('those who live around us').
As a result of two decades' struggle, the Messenian people became enslaved as helots and made serfs of the state, following Spartan victory in the southwestern region of the Peloponnese.
[citation needed] The Second Messenian War was the result of revolt by the helot population of Messenia, supported with the aid of the Argives and the Arcadians.
It was, while fortified here, that the Messenians started to use the land as enemy territory and several raids were made of the surrounding towns, some even led by Aristomenes himself.
[8][non-primary source needed] Ultimately, the Spartans were able to quell the revolts following the death of the Argive commander, and further suppressed the Messenians back to a helot status.