Messene was the Greek city state that was conquered by Sparta, the original Helots. Suppressing the Messene revolts led to Sparta adopting its authoritarian, militaristic culture (something to read into later).
Modern Messene was the result of Greek renaming during a nationalistic phase, the modern settlement is to the south of the ancient settlement.
Large drainage ditches underpin the settlement allowing water from the nearby mountain to flow through the city.
After the defeat of the Spartans the city switched to being an independent city state under the Macedonians and then the Romans. Moving from oligarchy to democracy and there is a large theatre in the city for public meetings.
The central area of the city is given over to a temple to Asklepois, the son of Apollo and a daughter of a mythical king. The patron god of the city.
The ruins have been partly rebuilt but much of the original material was in place, the city having been abandoned after the drainage channels blocked up and the city flooded in the late Roman period.
There is a stadium and track for foot racing that was later adapted to Roman arena bloodsports.