Pronunciation: [mˈɛsiːn] (IPA) 
The word "Messene" is a tricky one to spell correctly. It is pronounced /məˈsiːni/ (muh-SEE-nee), with the stress on the second syllable. The first two letters "me" are pronounced like the word "meat" without the "t" sound, followed by an "s" sound, and then the "ee" sound like in the word "see". The final two letters are pronounced as "ni" like in the word "knee". So, to spell it correctly, remember: "me" + "s" + "ee" + "ni".
Messene is a term that refers to multiple entities, including a region in ancient Greece, an ancient city-state located in the Peloponnese, and a modern-day village in Greece. In terms of the ancient region, Messene was situated in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese, bordering Arcadia to the northwest and Laconia to the east. It was recognized for its strategic location and was home to various significant ancient Greek cities.
The ancient city-state of Messene, known as Messene in Greek, was established in 369 BC by the Theban general Epaminondas. It was founded after the lengthy conflict between the city-states of Sparta and Thebes, known as the Peloponnesian War. Messene was designed and built under the guidance of the architect and urban planner Hippodamus, featuring a gridiron street plan that showcased its geometric precision.
The modern-day village of Messene is situated near the ruins of the ancient city-state and is often referred to as Mavrommati, as the name Messene commonly denotes the archaeological site. Today, Messene attracts tourists and history enthusiasts who visit the well-preserved ruins of the ancient city. These ruins include significant structures such as the Agora, the Arcadian Gate, the Stadium, and the impressive fortifications that encircled the city.
Overall, Messene encompasses a rich historical and archaeological context, representing both an ancient region in Greece and an important ancient city-state that played a prominent role in the Peloponnesian War and Greek history.
The word "Messene" has its roots in ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek city-state called "Messenia" (Μεσσηνία in Greek), which was located in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The city-state was named after its legendary founder, King Messene, who was said to be the son of Triopas and grandson of Aison, both figures from Greek mythology.
The origin of the name Messene itself is not entirely clear. One possibility is that it is derived from the Greek word "mesos", meaning "middle" or "in the middle". This could be a reference to the location of Messenia, which was situated between the other major Spartan and Arcadian regions in ancient Greece.
Another proposed origin is that the name comes from the Greek word "mesēnaios", which means "military" or "related to the middle class".
