Theban Rebellion
- There had been long hostility between Sparta and Thebes
- In 382 BC, Sparta managed (with the help of Theban traitors) to install a puppet government in Thebes
- In 379 BC, a group of 7 patriots (lead by Pelopidas) drove the Spartan dominated government out of town
The Fall of Sparta
- Pelopidas and Epaminodas reformed the Theban army
- The Sacred Band of 300 Thebans was founded
- Thebes started uniting cities throughout Boetia
- This was strongly opposed by Sparta
Battle of Tegyra
- 375 BC
- Tegyra was the only remaining city in Boetia in an alliance with Sparta
- Thebes unsuccessfully attacked Tegyra and met Spartan arny on their way back
- Although Thebans were outnumbered, they still won over Sparta
- Two Spartan generals were slain
- First recorded occasion on which a Spartan hoplite force was defeated by a numerically inferior force in a set battle
Battle of Leuctra
- 371 BC
- Sparta marched on Thebes and met them on the field of Leuctra
- Theban forces were outnumbered again, but they still delivered Sparta a crushing defeat
- Mostly thanks to their brilliant general Epaminondas
- One Spartan king was slain
Aftermath
- Epimondas followed this victory by marching into Spartan territory, freeing slaves and helots
- Two walled cities were built, Messenia and Megapolis
- He didn’t attack the city of Sparta itself, because he knew it could be defeated only at tremendous cost
- Era of Theban hegemony began
The Tearless Battle
- 368 BC
- Spartan victory against Arcadians where not even one Spartan was killed
Death of Pelopidas and Epaminondas
Battle of Cynoscephalae
- 364 BC
- Thebes and Thesselians against the forces of Alexander, despot of Phera
- Thebes victory
- But Pelopidas was slain
Battle of Mantinea
- 362 BC
- Thebes against the combined forces of Athens, Sparta and Mantinea
- Thebes victory
- But Epaminondas was slain
Sparta weak and there was no longer a coalition in Greece strong enough that it could resist Macedonians.
