The Messenian League was an alliance formed by the ancient Greek city-state of Messenia and its allies during the 4th century BCE. This coalition aimed to resist the dominance of Sparta, which had historically oppressed Messenia and its people. The League sought to unify the region and strengthen its military capabilities against Spartan aggression. The League played a significant role in the Peloponnesian War, as it provided support to other city-states opposing Sparta. Although the Messenian League was ultimately short-lived, it represented a crucial effort by Messenia to reclaim its independence and assert its identity in the face of Spartan control.