...ibute was imposed on them, they used to bring the half of all the produce of their fields to Sparta. It was also ordained that for the funerals of the kings and other magistrates men should come from Messene with their wives in black garments, and a penalty was laid on those who disobeyed. As to the wanton punishments which they inflicted on the Messenians, this is what is said in Tyrtaeus' poems:Like a...