ARISTOMENES, THE HERO OF MESSENIA. 63

But great battles were not all. There were years
of guerilla warfare. At the head of a band of brave
followers Aristomenes made his way more than once
to the very heart of Laconia, surprised two of its
cities, and on one occasion ventured into Sparta
itself by night. Here he boldly entered the temple
of Athene of the Brazen House and hung up his
shield there as a mark of defiance to his enemies,
placing on it an inscription which said that Aris-
tomenes presented it as an offering from Spartan
spoil.

The Messenian maidens crowned their hero with
garlands, and danced around him, singing a war
strain in honor of his victories over his foes. Yet
he found the Spartans vigorous and persistent ene-
mies, and in spite of all his victories was forced at
length to take refuge in the mountain fastnesses,
where he held out against his foes for eleven years.

We do not know all the adventures of this famous
champion, but are told that he was taken prisoner
three times by his enemies. Twice he made marvel-
lous escapes while they were conveying him to
Sparta. On the third occasion he was less fortu-
nate. His foes bore him in triumph to their capital
city, and here he was condemned to be cast from
Mount Taygetus into the Keadas, a deep rock cavity
into which they flung their criminals.

Fifty Messenian prisoners suffered the same fate
and were all killed; but the gods, so we are told,
came to their leader’s aid. The legend says that an
eagle took Aristomenes on its outspread wings, and
landed him safely in the bottom of the pit. More