Messinia
/mɛsɪˈniːə/noun
A historical and administrative region in southwestern Greece, occupying the southwestern Peloponnese.
Did you know?Messinia appears to correspond to a place-name recorded in Mycenaean Greek centuries before the rise of classical Athens, although the name’s ultimate origin remains uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
13th Century BCE
Mycenaean Greek
𐀕𐀯𐀜𐀊 (me-se-ni-ja)
“A place-name generally identified with Messenia; its exact reading and etymology remain debated.”
8th–5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
Μεσσηνία (Messēníā)
“The region of Messenia in the southwestern Peloponnese.”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
Μεσσήνη (Messḗnē)
“Messene, the associated city and legendary personification or queen-name connected with the region.”
Byzantine Period
Medieval Greek
Μεσσηνία (Messinía)
“The continuing geographic name for the southwestern Peloponnesian region.”
Modern English
English
Messinia
“The modern English form, also commonly rendered Messenia, for a regional unit and historical area of Greece.”