Sparta+dominated+the+Messenians

Around 725 B.C Sparta conquered Messenia and took over their land. Messenians became helots, peasants forced to stay on the land they worked. Spartans demanded half of the helots' crops every year. In 650 B.C the Messenians revolted, and outnumbered the Spartans, eight to one. Sparta barely put down the revolt, and decided they were too vulnerable. They then dedicated themselves to making Sparta a strong city-state.