Messara was a Greek kingdom on the island of Crete at the time of the Peloponnesian War, named for an illuvial plain in the southern part of the kingdom. It was the site of some of the most important cities of Minoan civilization, including the thriving city of Gortyn and the ruined city of Knossos. The arid plain was, according to Greek mythology, where Rhea hid her infant son Zeus from his child-devouring father Kronos. Today, it is home to olive trees (with olive oil being one of the region's main exports), vineyards, horticulturtal crops, and Messara horses.
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Location
Messara in 429 BC
Messara in 423 BC
The Messara plain