Peloponnese Day 3: Peristeria and Pylos

The tomb at Peristeria. We had to jump over the fence to see this. There might be a photo of me doing that on someone else's computer. Anyway it was the first but not the last time on the trip that we had to do that.

The interior of the Peristeria tomb.

The view over the plain from the tomb at Peristeria. This is part of the famous agricultural region of Messenia.

The town of Pylos, where we stayed for 3 nights, from the sea. Our hotel is the large yellow building on the left. Photo taken from the boat back from Sphakteria, where an important battle took place...

Pylos: Battle of Sphakteria

Resulted in 420 Spartans imprisoned by Athenians (120 Spartiates, 300 helots) – Spartans desperately wanted them back. Athenians refused. Athenians send a fleet of 40 ships around for Corcyra. Spartans are sending 60 ships also to Corcyra, Demosthenes is along. Supposed to go on to Sicily. Demosthenes wants a garrison here at Pylos, “desolate country.” The Spartans have a garrison at Coroni, Methoni, and Kyparissia: the Messenians speak Doric dialect. A storm comes up and Athenians put in at Pylos for 6 days. Soldiers get bored and start fortifying Pylos for the hell of it. They leave 5 ships with Demosthenes here and take off. Spartans come to Pylos, because they are annoyed – Peloponnesians take the 60 ships here. Spartans “intend to block the entrance to the harbor.” Demosthenes says “come back, Athenian ships.” Spartans leave hoplites on Sphakteria. Demosthenes readies for attack, beats off Spartan hoplites trying to land on Sphakteria. Athenian ships arrive back. “Their intention was to fight in open sea, or in harbor.”

The town square of Pylos, with its enormous plane tree.