Editing Helots (section)

===Athenian outposts===
During the same war and after the capitulation of the Spartans besieged in Sphacteria, the Athenians installed a garrison in [[Pylos]] composed of Messenians from [[Naupactus]]. Thucydides underlines that they had hoped to exploit the patriotism of the latter in order to pacify the region.<ref>Thucydides, 4.41, 2–3.</ref> Though the Messenians may not have triggered full-blown [[guerrilla warfare]], they nevertheless pillaged the area and encouraged helot desertion. Sparta was forced to dedicate a garrison to controlling this activity; this was the first of the {{lang|grc|ἐπιτειχισμοί}} / ''epiteikhismoí'' ("ramparts"), outposts planted by the Athenians in enemy territory.

The second such outpost was at [[Kythira|Kythera]]. This time, the Athenians set their sights on the helots of Laconia. Again, pillaging and desertion did occur, but not on the scale hoped for by the Athenians or feared by the Spartans: there was no uprising like that which accompanied the earthquake.