Mani had remained under the control of the Despotate of Morea in May 1453 after the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Mehmet II took Constantinople.

Mehmet had occupied the Peloponnese in May 1460.

The Despotate of Morea had been ruled by the two brothers of Constantine XI, who had died defending Constantinople.

However, neither Demetrios Palaiologos nor Thomas Palaiologos had chosen to follow his example and defend the Peloponnese.

Thomas has instead fled to Italy, while Demetrios has sought refuge with Mehmet, to whom Helena Palaiologina, a daughter of Demetrios and Theodora Asanina, had been given in marriage.

Kladas, a Greek from Laconia, had in 1461 been granted lordship by Mehmet over Elos and Varvounia.

Mehmet had hoped that Kladas would defend Laconia from the Maniots.

During this time, Mani's population has grown as a result of an influx of refugees who have come from other areas of Greece.

Kladas turns against the Ottomans in 1463 and joins the Venetians, leading the Maniots against the Ottomans with Venetian aid.