Messēnē, ēs, or Messēna (Messāna), ae, f., = Μεσσήνη,
- I. the capital of Messenia, in the Peloponnesus, on the river Pamisos, now Maura-Matia, Mel. 2, 3, 4; Plin. 4, 5, 7, § 15; Nep. Ep. 8; id. Pel. 4; Liv. 36, 31, 1; 32, 21, 23; Ov. M. 6, 417; cf. Messana, II.
Hence, Messēnĭus (Messā-nĭus), a, um, adj., = Μεσσήνιος, Messeni an: Messenia arva (al. Messania), Ov. M. 2, 679.
- II. Subst.
- A. Messēnia, ae, f., the country around Messene, Plin. 4, 5, 7, § 15.
- B. Messēnĭi, ōrum, m., the Messenians, Liv. 36, 31.