The
Maniots or
Maniates are the inhabitants of the
Mani Peninsula,
Laconia, in the southern
Peloponnese,
Greece. They were also formerly known as
Mainotes and the peninsula as
Maina. Maniots are described as descendants of the ancient
Dorian population of the Peloponnese and as such related to the ancient
Spartans. The terrain is mountainous and inaccessible (until recently many Mani villages could be accessed only by sea), and the regional name "Mani" is thought to have meant originally "dry" or "barren". The name "Maniot" is a derivative meaning "of Mani". In the early modern period, Maniots had a reputation as fierce and proudly independent warriors, who practice piracy and fierce
blood feuds. For the most part, the Maniots lived in fortified villages (and "house-towers") where they defended their lands against the armies of
William II Villehardouin and later against those of the
Ottomans.