Ancient Ithomi | archaeological site, fortification

 archaeological site, fortification

For the ancient Ithomi mentioned in Homer's Iliad , with a statement that some residents led by King of Ancient Ithomis Podalirius took part in the Trojan War : "The fourth and they had been Trikkin Ithomin klomakoessan , the Wall Oichaliin , a city widely Oichalios of AUC ' igeisthin Asclepius two children, iitir goods, and the machaon machaon , not per triikonta glafyrai new estichoonto . " ( Iliad II 729-733 ) .
The fort Ithome played an important role in the First Messenian War , in the late 7th century BC , between Messenia and Sparta . It was the last stronghold of the Messenians and finally leveled after heroic siege.
The mountain beyond the ancient fortress was dedicated to Zeus Ithomata , and on top there was a shrine with altar. Pausanias mentions that the Messenians claimed birth to Zeus in their place and that the source Sandglass bring water daily in the temple of the peak.