Archidamus

Then again you are doubtless well aware that possessions, whether private or public, when they have remained for a long time in the hands of their owner, are by all men acknowledged to be hereditary and incontestable. Now we took Messene before the Persians acquired their kingdom[*](In 559 B.C., when Cyrus became ruler of Persia.) and became masters of the continent, in fact before a number of the Hellenic cities were even founded.