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History of Sacred Band of Thebes
The Sacred Band of Thebes (Ancient Greek: ????? ?????, Hiers Lkhos) was a troop of select soldiers, consisting of 150 pairs of male lovers which formed the elite force of the Theban army in the 4th century BC, ending Spartan domination. Its predominance began with its crucial role in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC.
Was the Sacred Band of Thebes?
The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite force of shock troops in the Theban army, consisting of 150 paired male lovers that were famed in the classical world during the 4th century BC for their legendary courage and military strength in battle.
Who destroyed the Sacred Band of Thebes?
The Sacred Band of Thebes was destroyed by a contingent of elite Macedonian troops led by the young Alexander, at the time serving under his father. Forty years since its founding, having led Thebes to many victories, having tipped the balance of power in Greece, the band was no more.
How long did the Sacred Band of Thebes last?
Sacred Band of Thebes – Nominee
Theban general Pelopidas formed these couples into a distinct unit the “special forces” of Greek soldiery and the forty years of their known existence (378338 BC) marked the pre-eminence of Thebes as a military and political power in late-classical Greece.
Was 300 based on the Sacred Band of Thebes?
One other thing about this other ancient Greek 300″: They weregay. Not just gay, this Sacred Band of Thebes, this classicalversion of today’s special forces, was composed entirely of oldermen and their younger male lovers.
What do you call someone from Thebes?
People are called Thebans. An important setting in Greek myths, Thebes is the the site of the stories of Cadmus, Oedipus, Dionysus, Heracles and others.
What was Thebes known for?
Thebes was the seat of the legendary king Oedipus and the locale of most of the ancient Greek tragediesnotably Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes and Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Antigoneand of other compilations about the fate of Oedipus, his wife-mother, and his children.
How did Alexander defeat the Sacred Band?
Quickly, Philip charged into the Athenian center and then veered left, breaking through the enemy line. Seeing defeat imminent, the allies fled. On the Macedonian left, Alexander advanced into the gap left behind by the charging Athenian troops. He was able to surround the Sacred Band, crushing them completely.
How did Thebes defeat Sparta?
The center and right of his line, weak and depleted, he held back from contact with the Spartan phalanx, screened by skirmishers and horsemen. Advancing obliquely to the attack, the Thebans delivered a crushing blow to the Spartan right, smashing it apart with heavy losses.
Where was Thebes located?
Location. The bustling city of Thebes, which is known to the locals as ‘Waset’, lies around 800 kilometres (500 miles) south of the Mediterranean on the banks of the river Nile. Thebes is the main city of ‘Upper Egypt’, the southern region of the country that extends to Nubia.
What was Pericles responsible for?
Pericles was an Athenian statesman who played a large role in developing democracy in Athens and helped make it the political and cultural center of ancient Greece. Pericles was born in 495 B.C.E. in Athens to an aristocratic family.
Who trained the Sacred Band?
The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite unit of the Theban army comprised of 150 gay male couples totaling 300 men. They were formed under the leadership of Gorgidas but first achieved fame under the general Pelopidas.
Who won the first battle of chaeronea?
Battle of Chaeronea, (August 338 bce), battle in Boeotia, central Greece, in which Philip II of Macedonia defeated a coalition of Greek city-states led by Thebes and Athens.
Was Thebes a real place?
Reference no. Thebes (Arabic: ????, Ancient Greek: ?????, Th?bai), known to the ancient Egyptians as Waset, was an ancient Egyptian city located along the Nile about 800 kilometers (500 mi) south of the Mediterranean. Its ruins lie within the modern Egyptian city of Luxor.
How old is Thebes?
Thebes was also revered as the most ancient of Greek cities, with a history of over 1,000 years.
Is Thebes Greek or Egyptian?
Ancient Thebes was located in Greece
Thebai (the ancient spelling of Thebes) is not in Egypt but somewhere in the middle of mainland Greece, about 90 km NW of Athens by road. There was indeed a Thebes in Egypt, which was actually the capital of New Kingdom (late second millennium BCE) Egypt.
What did Thebes invent?
The Theban alphabet is often called “The Runes of Honorius” It is also known as the ‘Witch’s Alphabet’. It was invented by Honorius of Thebes.
What does Thebes mean in history?
noun. an ancient city in Upper Egypt, on the Nile, whose ruins are located in the modern towns of Karnak and Luxor: a former capital of Egypt. a city of ancient Greece, in Boeotia: a rival of ancient Athens.
What happened at Thebes?
The Battle of Thebes was a battle that took place between Alexander the Great and the Greek city-state of Thebes in 335 BC immediately outside of and in the city proper in Boeotia.
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Battle of Thebes.
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Battle of Thebes.
| Date | December, 335 BC |
|---|---|
| Result | Decisive Macedonian victory. Razing of Thebes |
| Territorial changes | Thebes destroyed |
Why did Alexander the Great destroy Thebes?
Why did Alexander the Great destroy Thebes? He destroyed Thebes because they rebelled against him after Philip died.
Who were the soldiers chosen for the Sacred Band of Thebes Why did Gorgidas choose these men?
According to Plutarch, the 300 hand-picked men were chosen by Gorgidas purely for ability and merit, regardless of social class. It was composed of 150 male couples, each pair consisting of an older erasts (???????, “lover”) and a younger ermenos (????????, “beloved”).
Why is Alexander called the Great?
When Alexander died at the age of 32, he ruled a territory that spanned three continents and covered nearly 2 million square miles. He was the king of his native Macedonia, ruler of the Greeks, the king of Persia and even an Egyptian pharaoh. Due to his massive accomplishments, he was called Alexander the Great.
What is Thebes biggest enemy?
Throughout the Classical Period, Thebes was one of Athens’ biggest enemy poleis, and this complex relationship is often mirrored in the dramas that feature Thebes and Thebans in principal roles.
Do Spartans still exist?
But today there is still a town called Sparta in Greece in the very same spot as the ancient city. So, in a way, Spartans still exist, although these days they tend to be a little less strict and certainly not as good at fighting with spears and shields as the ancients.
What was Thebes biggest ally?
ThebanSpartan War
| Theban-Spartan War | |
|---|---|
| Sparta and allies Supported by: Achaemenid Empire | Thebes and allies Supported by: Achaemenid Empire |
| Commanders and leaders | |
| Agesilaus and others | Epaminondas Pelopidas |
Is Thebes a city or kingdom?
The city, known as Waset to ancient Egyptians and as Luxor today, was the capital of Egypt during parts of the Middle Kingdom (2040 to 1750 B.C.) and the New Kingdom (circa 1550 to 1070 B.C.). Thebes was the city of Amun, whose devotees elevated him among the ranks of ancient deities.
Who founded Thebes?
Europa was carried off by Zeus, king of the gods, and Cadmus was sent out to find her. Unsuccessful, he consulted the Delphic oracle, which ordered him to give up his quest, follow a cow, and build a town on the spot where she lay down. The cow guided him to Boeotia (Cow Land), where he founded the city of Thebes.
Who ruled Thebes?
List of rulers
| Ruler | Kingdom Name | Major Event |
|---|---|---|
| Oedipus | Thebes | Death of Laius by the hands of his son Oedipus |
| Creon (regent for Eteocles & Polynices) | Alcmene and Heracles lived in Thebes | |
| Eteocles & Polynices | War of the Seven against Thebes | |
| Creon (regent for Laodamas) | The return of Epigoni |
Units of History – The Sacred Band of Thebes DOCUMENTARY
The Sacred Band of Thebes – Legendary War Units
