Ampheia

AMPHEIA (Ἄμφεια: Eth. Ἀμφεύς), a town of Messenia, situated on the frontiers of Laconia, upon a hill well supplied with water. It was surprised and taken by the Spartans at the beginning of the Messenian war, and was made their head-quarters in conducting their operations against the Messenians. Its capture was the first act of open hostilities between the two people. It is placed by Leake at the Hellenic ruin, now called the Castle of Xuria, and by Boblaye on the mountain called Kokala. (Paus. 4.5.9; Leake, Morea, vol. 1. p. 461; Boblaye, Recherches, p. 109.)