Battle of the Great Foss

The Battle of the Great Foss occurred in 682 BC during the Second Messenian War (685–668 BC). The word "foss" derives from the Latin fossa, meaning "ditch" or "trench." According to ancient historian Pausanias the outcome of the battle was determined by trickery. The Spartans bribed Aristocrates, the king of the Arcadians, to withdraw his men just as the battle was beginning. This resulted in the slaughter of the Messenians.

References and further reading

Sources
 Montagu, John Drogo. Battles of the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Chronological Compendium of 667 Battles to 318BC.  Mechanicsburg, PA: Greenhill Books, 2000.

Category:7th-century BC conflicts
Category:Messenian Wars
Category:682 BC
Great Foss