Final answer:
Messenia's location was valuable for Sparta due to its rich agricultural land, which provided resources to sustain their militaristic society and helot labor force. Control over Messenia ensured a strategic advantage for defense and allowed Spartans to maintain military and economic stability, which was critical for their dominance in the Peloponnesian region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason why Messenia's location was valuable for Spartans to control lies in its geographical and economic benefits. Messenia was a region with rich agricultural land, vital for sustaining Sparta's militaristic society. The Spartans, who were a dominant force in land warfare, required significant resources to support their army and society. By controlling Messenia, the Spartans had access to fertile lands and could exploit the helots, the serfs descended from the conquered populace, to work on these lands without the need to offer any political representation.
Furthermore, by controlling Messenia, Sparta ensured a buffer zone against potential invasions and maintained a strategic region for defense and offense. The enslavement of the Messenians also allowed the Spartiates to focus on their military obligations, as the helots provided the necessary agricultural labor. This economic and military stability contributed to Sparta's power, allowing it to dominate the Peloponnesian League and maintain a strong military presence.
Moreover, the conquest and control of Messenia were crucial for Sparta's survival, especially in light of the risks posed by major conflicts such as the Peloponnesian War. The Spartan need to secure resources and maintain a standing army close to home was crucial in their strategic planning. By dominating Messenia, Sparta not only secured its economy but also made it difficult for enemies, like Athens, to challenge its land dominance.