Thunderstorm of the Spartans: the Theban undefeated commander Epaminondas. The thunderstorm of the Spartans - the father of the Thebans. Comes from the rural hinterland

(379...362 BC)

The terms of the Peace of Antalcides were strictly enforced not only in the area of ​​the Peloponnesian League, but throughout the rest of Greece. Unions of states were destroyed, and Greece broke up into many independent, self-governing, but small and therefore weak states. Outwardly, Greece seemed calm. But inside, in individual cities, with the return of many fugitives, party discord resumed with new bitterness. For their part, the Spartans, under the guise of maintaining peace, wanted to have an excuse to intervene in all sorts of complaints and quarrels as arbitrators. How the Spartans understood their role in this regard was immediately revealed during their first experience in dealing with Mantinea in Arcadia (in 385). This republic, at every opportunity, showed its disgust for Sparta and, especially recently, could not hide its gloating at the victory of Iphicrates over the Spartan hoplites. Vengeance now became the slogan of Sparta. The Mantineans were ordered to tear down their city walls, but when they refused to comply with this requirement, the city was surrounded by Agesilaus and forced to submit. The walls were then torn down and the inhabitants had to leave their city and settle in five open villages. As a result, their political significance was destroyed.

Argos was exhausted by the last war. Corinth was under the complete control of the all-powerful Spartan party. Thus, any resistance in the Peloponnese was impossible, and Sparta already turned its bold gaze beyond its borders. On the Chalkis Peninsula, the Greek colony of Olynthus, strengthened by trade, showed bold aspirations that were unbearable for Spartan pride. Olynthus expelled the Macedonian king Amyntas II from most of his possessions, assumed a kind of hegemony over the Greek cities in those countries and made friends with the neighboring brave and warlike Thracians. Taking advantage of the rich reserves of ship timber and gold mines and counting on the strong army of the newly formed Chalcidian union, Olynthus intended to extend his rule even further. But the cities of Akanthos and Apl-Apollonia refused to join the alliance and sent envoys to Sparta asking for help. Sparta happily agreed to their request and sent an army against Olynthos. But three years passed before this city could be forced to submit (in 380 BC). The Chalkidian League was destroyed, Amyntas received back the possessions that had been taken from him, and Olinthus and other conquered Greek cities had to join the Peloponnesian League .

During the campaign against Olynthos, the Spartan commander Phoebids, following his brother Eudamides with his army, committed a shameful violation of international law. When he reached Boeotia during the campaign and settled down for a long rest just in front of the walls of Thebes, the leader of the Spartan party in the city of Leontiada came to his camp and offered to take possession of the castle of Cadmea. The attack on the castle by surprise was carried out on a hot summer day (in 383), when the streets were deserted, the men were in the people's assembly, and the women were attending a festival in Cadmeus. The women were taken hostages, and the leader of the democrats, Ismenius, was imprisoned. The rest of the democrats, led by Pelopidas, managed to flee to Athens. Oligarchic rule was introduced in Thebes, and it was headed by Leontiades, his like-minded Archius, Philip and Hypagus. Although the Spartan government pretended to be dissatisfied with the violent act of its commander and the coup d'état of Leontiades, it easily convinced the latter to convince himself that the Thebans could only be reliable friends of Sparta under oligarchic rule. Agesilaus completely agreed with this, who at the same time referred to the often used ancient rule - what is beneficial to the state is fair. Then, without further delay, the new government in Thebes was recognized and a garrison of 1,500 people was stationed in Cadmea to protect it. For the sake of appearance, Phoebid was sentenced to a fine for his willful act.

View of Thebes with Cadmea.

As for Ismenias, he was accused by Leontiades of treason for taking part in the war against Sparta as a friend of the barbarians (Persians). Then Leontiades and his party, like the former thirty tyrants in Athens, began to go on a rampage against their opponents, resorting to murder, imprisonment and deprivation of property. Those who could run fled for their lives. Athens, although it could offer refuge to the fugitives, was not able to provide any open assistance, since, deprived of allies, it did not dare to go to war with the almighty Sparta. But the feat of Thrasibulus, who saved Athens, served as an example for the Theban fugitives, which they decided to follow.

The formidable reign of tyrants continued in Thebes for almost four years, when the fugitives, inspired by the brave call of the fiery Pelopidas, agreed among themselves and made a generous decision to sacrifice their lives to rid their hometown of tyranny. To this end, they entered into an agreement with like-minded people in Thebes: Phyllidas, Charon and Gorgidas. The conspiracy was led by Phyllidas, who could successfully fulfill this role because he was a privy adviser to both polemarchs, Archie and Philip. On the evening when the plan was to be carried out, Phyllidas was supposed to invite both polemarchs to his feast, and another noble Athenian, Charon, appointed his house as a gathering place for the conspirators. For their part, the exiles, who were supposed to come to the aid of their like-minded people, agreed with them that most of them (300-400 people) would gather on the border of Boeotia, and twelve, including Pelopidas and Mellon, would hasten to Thebes to first kill the Theban tyrants at night.

Dressed as peasants and taking with them dogs and hunting equipment, the twelve conspirators set off for Thebes. At dusk they entered the city through different gates and entered Charon’s house one by one. Here they spent the night waiting for the next day. First of all, Archius and Philip, who were feasting at the house of Phyllidas at that time, were to be killed. While the conspirators waited anxiously in Charon's house, the latter was called to the polemarchs, who asked him whether it was true that there were conspirators in the city. Charon reassured them and promised to thoroughly investigate this matter. Following this, a messenger arrived from the chief priest in Athens, Archias, to the oligarch Archias with a letter in which the conspiracy plan was exposed. In response to the messenger’s remark that the letter contained extremely important news, the drunken Archius said: “Let’s leave serious matters until tomorrow.” Soon Charon, Mellon and other conspirators appeared at Phyllidas’s house, dressed in women’s clothing. Phyllides invited the polemarchs to invite beautiful women. Entering the hall, the conspirators drew their swords and struck Archias and Philip. The inspector of the temple, Kaberich, fell with them, rushing with a sword at the conspirators. Meanwhile, Pelopidas and Cephisodorus took upon themselves the difficult task of dealing with Leontiades, a strong and courageous man, in his own house. When the doors opened at their knock, they burst into the house, knocked down the servants and hurried to Leontiades' bedroom. He rushed to the door and struck Kephisodorus. But Pelopidas, despite the wound he received, threw Leontiades to the floor and killed him. Gipat tried to escape, but he was also overtaken and killed.

Then the conspirators went to the dungeon, freed the 150 prisoners there, sent messengers abroad to their companions and to Athens, and proclaimed in the streets and marketplace that the tyrants had been killed and the city was free. There was an uproar in the city: some rejoiced, others were in confusion. At that moment Epaminondas, Gorgidas and the rest of the conspirators appeared and tried to restore order and calm in the city.

The next morning a popular assembly was called, and Mellon, Charon and Pelopidas were appointed allied commanders. They immediately gathered an army and besieged the fortress and the garrison located in it. They managed to force the garrison to surrender before the Spartan army rushing to its rescue reached the borders of Boeotia. Sparta condemned two Harmosti to death for not waiting for the troops sent to their aid to arrive, and punished the third with a fine and expulsion from the Peloponnese. Having become free again and relying on Pelopidas and Epaminondas, Thebes rushed to achieve hegemony not only over Boeotia, but over all of Greece.

Pelopidas was of noble birth, owned a large fortune, was an ardent patriot and hated the arrogant claims of Sparta.

Epaminondas

His favorite field of activity was the palaestra (gymnastics school), military exercises and life in war. Epaminondas also came from a noble family, but was poor and never took advantage of the opportunity to enrich himself. He also diligently visited the palaestra, but his favorite pastime was conversations with philosophers, especially with the Pythagorean Lysis. Epaminondas's high education, his modesty and temperance, justice and exalted character, combined with freedom of circulation, patriotism, courage and military talents, place him among the greatest people of Hellenic history. Pelopidas and Epaminondas were bound by inextricable bonds of friendship and the only subject of their rivalry could be the greatness of the fatherland. In the war with Sparta they had the opportunity to show this.

Having received news of the liberation of Thebes by the conspirators, the Spartan king Cleombrotus hurried with his army to Boeotia, but found the fortress of Cadmea already occupied. After several minor skirmishes, he returned to the Peloponnese, leaving part of his troops in Boeotia under the command of the Thespian harmonist Sphodrius. Meanwhile, the Thebans not only engaged in defensive structures around the city, but also tried to strengthen themselves with alliances with other cities and especially with Athens. But the Athenians hesitated. One party rejected all hostile actions against Sparta. The other party, as before helped the conspirators, was now willingly ready to provide all assistance to the liberated Thebes. Sparta complained about this, as a result of which both commanders who rushed to the aid of Thebes were sentenced to death and one of them, who did not have time to escape, was executed.

But the state of affairs quickly changed when Sphodrius, seduced by the previous act of Phoebidas and in imitation of him, set out at night from Thespiae and invaded the Athenian region with the intention of attacking by surprise the not yet completely fortified Piraeus. But he only managed to reach Eleusis; here dawn found him, and he returned, devastating and ruining Attica. The Athenians were indignant, and the old enmity towards Sparta awoke with renewed vigor. When they learned that in response to the Athenians’ complaint there was a complete acquittal of Sphodrius, the Theban party gained a complete advantage. An alliance with Thebes was immediately concluded.

However, all efforts of Athens were aimed mainly at restoring its fleet. They called on all cities and islands to secede from Sparta, promising them in return complete freedom and equality. The Chios, Byzantines, Rhodians, Mytileneans and all the cities of Euboea responded to this appeal with the greatest readiness. Athens, which hated the domination of Sparta most of all, was chosen as the meeting place for all allies. Each of them received a vote in the union council, made a corresponding contribution, and Athens was given control of the entire matter. Two skilled commanders responded to the call of the fatherland: the brave Khabriy and the brave Timothy, son of Conon. Timothy, with extraordinary diplomatic skill, attracted 24 cities to the new Athenian Union.

In the spring of 378, Agesilaus launched his first campaign to Thebes, but was defeated by the new tactics of Chabrias. Khabriy ordered the lightly armed warriors to go down on one knee, rest their shield on it and, thus covering their body, meet the enemy with an inclined spear. This new formation left Agesilaus in such amazement that he did not dare to attack, but retreated with displeasure to Thespia, and then returned to the Peloponnese. Phoebids, who took his place in Thespiae, was lured into an ambush by the Theban Gorgidas and defeated by him. Agesilaus's second campaign to Boeotia in 377 was also unsuccessful. And Cleombrotus, who replaced Agesilaus, who tried to take the Kiferon mountain pass by storm in 376, was forced to retreat without achieving his goal. Sparta had to learn from bitter experience that they were not the only ones with brave warriors. Now she transferred all her hopes to the naval war. But Chabrias in 376 won a brilliant victory at Naxos over the Spartan Pollides. Timothy defeated the Spartan fleet at Leucadia in Acarnania in 375. When, to top it all off, Chabrius annexed the Greek cities on the Thracian coast to the Athenian League, Iphicrates carried out a devastating raid on the shores of the Peloponnese, and Pelopidas, commanding the “sacred detachment” (consisting of 30 young men united by friendship) at Orkhomenes, defeated a strong Spartan army , then Sparta felt war-weary. The desire for peace became universal in Sparta. The hope of meeting the same desire in Athens came true. In addition, discord arose between the participants of the new union. In addition, the wealthy Athenian citizens were burdened with monetary contributions for the war effort, and all these reasons increased the desire for peace and prompted the Athenians to once again draw closer to Sparta. Peace was concluded in 371. The main condition for this peace was the complete independence of all states. The Spartans pledged to withdraw their harmosts and garrisons from everywhere. Only Thebes opposed this world, realizing that it was from them that he would take away power over the Boeotian cities. In the meeting, Epaminondas mercilessly exposed the hypocrisy of the Spartans, saying that they were using the conditions of peace only in their own interests. He said that he would only give freedom to the cities of Boeotia when the Spartans freed the Perieci. Agesilaus then removed Thebes from the list of allies. The remaining ambassadors accepted the peace terms and went home. According to the wishes of Sparta, all allies fell away from Thebes.

In July 371, the Spartan army, led by Cleomrotus, marched against Thebes, consisting of 10,000 hoplites and 1,000 horsemen. Epaminondas had 6,000 infantry and 400 cavalry. Both armies met at Leuctra. The collision was terrible. At the very beginning of the battle, the Theban cavalry overthrew the Spartan cavalry, which, retreating, ran into its own infantry. There was confusion. Pelopidas took advantage of this and quickly attacked with his sacred detachment. At the same time, Epaminondas moved forward his left wing, formed in deep formation of 50 men abreast, to deliver a decisive blow. Epaminondas's right wing was built obliquely in order to be able to direct it forward or backward if necessary. This “oblique” battle formation served its own defense. The Spartan army could not withstand the strong onslaught. Dead bodies were piled on top of each other in rows. King Sphodrius and his son Kleonymus fell mortally wounded. The Spartans lost their courage, they began to retreat and finally took flight. The defeated army asked through messengers for the return of dead bodies and the conclusion of a truce for their burial, which meant a solemn recognition of their defeat.

There was great confusion and grief in Sparta at the news of this defeat. But the government and people did not betray their innate dignity, and even the gymnastic festival that had just begun was not interrupted. Only in the evening a list of those killed was sent home with orders to refrain from loud complaints. Instead of useless grief, they immediately began general armament. All men under sixty years of age and even officials who had previously been exempt from military service were armed. But circumstances were such that hostilities were suspended for some time.

At a meeting of the allied cities, with the assistance of the tyrant of the city of Fer, Jason, as an arbitrator, it was decided to allow the Spartans to quietly retreat to their fatherland. On this return route, the Spartans met newly recruited troops under the command of Archidamus. A great difficulty arose: the Spartans did not know how, under the present circumstances, to comply with the strict ancient law, which required the public deprivation of honor of those who fled the battlefield. Many people were subject to such punishment, and yet warriors were extremely necessary. When Agesilaus was asked to resolve this difficulty, he exclaimed in the assembly: “Leave the laws alone this time!”

Jason's peaceful mediation only temporarily stopped hostilities. The brilliance of victory at Leuctra gave courage to all the opponents of Sparta. The Peloponnese was gripped by the strongest enthusiasm. Many cities, tired of the Spartan yoke, began to make attempts to gain independence. The inhabitants of Mantinea rebuilt their city, surrounded it with walls and again moved into it from the villages, ignoring the threats of Agesilaus.

In addition, it was decided to unite all of Arcadia into one state,” the newly built city of Megalopolis was appointed as the capital and seat of its government. All meetings of representatives of the cities and villages of the Arcadian Union were to take place here and all issues relating to governance and justice were to be resolved.

To prevent the implementation of this plan, Agesilaus invaded Arcadia with a Spartan army. But the inhabitants of Arcadia called Thebes for help. Epaminondas and Pelopidas led an army to the Peloponnese. Although upon their arrival they no longer found Agesilaus here, the desire to put an end to the rule of Sparta was so great that Epaminondas and Pelopidas with 70,000 troops crossed the mountains surrounding Laconia and entered the region of Sparta. For five centuries, not a single enemy foot set foot on this land. The Spartans were filled with horror at the sight of the rising clouds of dust, which revealed the approach of the enemy, who was devastating everything in his path with fire and sword. Agesilaus appeared as the savior of his native, walled city. With courage and prudence, he began organizing the defense. All free men capable of bearing arms were drafted. Agesilaus also armed 6,000 helots, promising them freedom for this. It was a risky move. And indeed, the helots soon rebelled and only decisive measures taken by the vigilant Agesilaus made it possible to suppress the rebellion at its very beginning. Although Epaminondas tried to take by storm the heights that dominated Sparta, he was unsuccessful. Having learned of the approach of troops rushing to help from Sicyon, Epidaurus and Corinth, he retreated and then limited himself to ravaging all of Laconia and even destroying the shipyard in Gythia. Now the time had come when he had the opportunity to carry out his long-cherished, beloved plan for the restoration of Messenya. His ambassadors from everywhere hastened to call for the return of the scattered descendants of the ancient Messenians to their homeland. Many of them responded to the call of Epaminondas, gathered in the country of their ancestors, united with the mass of helots and perieci who fled from the army and built a new city at the foot of Mount Itoma, Messenia, which became the seat of the government of an independent state.

A bad time of year, as a result of which Epaminondas’s army began to suffer hardships, and the news of an auxiliary Athenian detachment approaching the Spartans forced him to clear the Peloponnese. By restoring the independent Messenian state, joining the hostile Arcadia and Argos, Epaminondas dealt a mortal blow to Sparta.

On his way back, Epaminondas encountered an Athenian detachment under the command of Iphicrates on the isthmus. But Epaminondas skillfully bypassed him and returned safely to his fatherland. Here a disappointing reception awaited him. Low envious people, led by the popular speaker Meneclides, accused Epaminondas and Pelopidas of having served in the rank of viotarchs for more than the period established by law. Epaminondas took all the blame upon himself, appeared in court and said with dignity: “The law accuses me. Okay, I deserve to die. But I demand that you write the following on my grave: “The Thebans executed Epaminondas because at Leuctra he led them against the Lacedaemonians, to whom they had not previously dared to show themselves and brought victory over them, because he saved the fatherland and besieged Sparta.” , who considered herself lucky to have escaped her fall, and because he built Messene and surrounded it with strong walls.” The ashamed judges left one after another, without even trying to object to Epaminondas. Numerous enemies rebelled against the Arcadian alliance and the Messenian state, which arose thanks to the victorious actions of Thebes. The Spartans were joined by the Athenians, prompted by envy of Thebes, the Achaeans, Sicyonians and Corinthians. As a result, Epaminondas had to undertake a second campaign in the Peloponnese. With an army of 8,000 hoplites, he managed to break through the enemy line on the isthmus, consisting of 20,000 people, and restore the destroyed connection with Arcadia and Messenia.

Meanwhile, Pelopidas carried the Theban weapons to the north, where he became the decider of all kinds of disputes. Thus, he played the role of arbitrator between warring contenders for the Macedonian throne and, to ensure peace, he took young Philip, the future king of Macedonia, with him to Thebes as a hostage. Soon new confusion brought Peloidas to Thessaly, where Alexander, the tyrant of Thera, was rampaging with inhuman cruelty. Called to the aid of the persecuted, Pelopidas and Ismenius went as ambassadors to the court of Alexander, but here they were captured and imprisoned. To liberate them, the Thebans sent an army in which Epaminondas, who was no longer chosen as viotarch after the end of his tenure in this position, served as a simple warrior. Under the leadership of other viotarchs, the army was almost defeated by Alexander. Fortunately, the warriors unanimously elected Epaminondas as their commander. He saved the army, appeared before the gates of Fer and forced the tyrant to immediately release the prisoners. (367).

These internal strife gave foreign countries a reason to intervene. The Greek states themselves sought the favor of the Persian king Artaxerxes Mnemon. Athens and Sparta sent ambassadors to Susa, and Pelopidas also hurried there from Thebes. Each of these states sought to obtain from the king the beneficial right of mediation. Pelopidas, with his courageous behavior and diplomatic skill, depicted the real powerful position of Thebes in the most brilliant colors and was so able to relegate the other ambassadors to the background that the right of mediation was granted to Thebes. The resolution on this read: “All Greek states, including Messenia, are recognized as independent, the Athenians undertake to withdraw their fleet, in other words, to renounce their dominance at sea, and those who do not want to submit to this decision must be forced to do so by force of arms.”

The enforcement of this peace treaty and the right to arbitrate disputes were given to the Thebans. In the spring of the following year, representatives of all Greek cities were convened in Thebes to listen to the terms of the peace treaty and to confirm them on oath.

Death of Epaminondas.

But here it was fully revealed how little the importance of Thebes had strengthened, despite its recent victories. The ambassadors refused to approve the peace treaty, but the Arcadian ambassador, Lycomedes, argued that the meeting place should be where the war took place, namely, in Arcadia. The meeting dispersed without reaching any agreement, and the war and the struggle of parties resumed again.

And with the third campaign in the Peloponnese, directed to Achaia, Epaminondas failed to establish order; on the contrary, internal turmoil in states everywhere intensified even more. The wild and harsh Arcadians, after the death of the capable Lycomedes, proved that they were not yet capable of playing the important role they had so boldly assumed. Instead of acting in general unanimous consent, the individual cities of the union tormented each other in bloody feuds. Mantinea and Tegea, each striving to take possession of Megalopolis, entered into hostility among themselves. Open war broke out between the Arcadians and the inhabitants of Aelia. In Olympia, during sports games, both sides entered into armed combat. Meanwhile, Thebes lost one of its great leaders, Pelopidas. In one battle with Alexander of Fersk, chasing in excitement the tyrant who had fled, he became too detached from his own and was struck by a spear by one of Alexander’s bodyguards (364).

But the great spirit of Epaminondas was still awake. In order to destroy the Athenian state at sea, Epaminondas built 100 ships and convinced Chios, Rhodes and Byzantium to break away from Athens. Now he was aware of the need to introduce order into the confused relations of the Peloponnese and strengthen the position of Thebes among its allies. He entered the Peloponnese with an army reinforced by Thessalians and Euboeans. Argos, Sicyon, Messene, Megalopolis and Tegea joined him. Epaminondas settled near the last of these cities. The opponents, reinforced by the Athenians, were at Mantinea and awaited the arrival of the Spartan detachment under the command of Agesilaus. Epaminondas, having learned about Agesilaus's performance, went straight to Sparta. But Agesilaus, having received news of this from one defector, notified his son Archidamus about this, ordering him to at the same time strengthen the city, and he hurried with the cavalry on a forced march to Sparta. Although Epaminondas penetrated to the city square, here he was met by the Spartans, who were under the command of Agesilaus and his son, ready for a desperate battle, and stopped him. Then Epaminondas set out on a return campaign and headed towards Mantinea to attack the enemy army stationed there. Victory was necessary to atone for the shame of retreating from Sparta and to encourage the soldiers. The attack was carried out with the greatest brutality. From the very beginning, the wing led by Epaminondas himself put the enemy to flight. He pursued him with excessive vehemence and was struck in the chest by a dart. The shaft fell out, but the iron tip remained in the chest. When Epaminondas was brought to the camp, the doctors explained that he would die as soon as the iron was removed from the wound. Pressing the wound with his hand, he asked to bring his shield. His request was fulfilled and the victory of the Thebans was announced. “Okay,” he said, “so I’ve lived quite well. Call Diaphantes and Yollid." He was told that both brave commanders had been killed. “Oh, in that case, advise the Thebans to make peace!” After this, Epaminondas ordered the iron to be removed from the wound. At that moment one of his inconsolable friends exclaimed: “You will die, Epaminondas! Oh, if at least there were sons left after you!” To this exclamation, breathing his last, Epaminondas replied: “I leave behind me two immortal daughters: the victories of Leuctra and Mantinea.”

The victory at Mantinea did not bring Thebes the expected fruits. Everything remained in the same disorder and indecisive state. Although there was calm, it was a calm of exhaustion and a consequence of Persian mediation. But since this peace asserted the independence of Messenia, Sparta did not join it. Eighty-year-old Agesilaus could not come to terms with the idea of ​​ending his days peacefully in his humiliated hometown. This thought prompted him to new activities. He hoped that perhaps a merciful fate would allow him to do something else useful for the fatherland. The turmoil in the Persian monarchy gave Agesilaus the sweet hope of gaining new military glory. The governors rebelled with impunity against the Persian king or fought with each other, and repeatedly used the services of Greek mercenary troops and leaders.

Egypt proved itself to be the most rebellious region at this time. While the Persians were waging war on the island of Cyprus against Evagoras, the Sebenite prince Nakhthor-bread brought the country into a defensive position and recruited troops and leaders in Greece. He entrusted the main command to one of the most famous mercenary leaders - the Athenian Chabrius. Chabrius took a strong position on the Celusian branch of the Nile and fortified it with trenches. From here he watched all the exits from Syria and took possession of everything that approached him from the desert. Artaxerxes Mnemon sent Pharnabazus with an army of 200,000 people, but at the head of it he also put one Athenian named Iphicrates. At the same time, Artaxerxes insisted in Athens on the recall of Chabrias from Egypt. At first everything went well. The Egyptian troops guarding the shores were overthrown and opened the road to Memphis. But the slowness of Pharnabazus spoiled everything that Iphicrates had done so well. Meanwhile, Nakhthor-bread recovered, completely defeated the Persians under Mendes and forced them to retreat. Pharnabazus again went to Syria, Iphicrates sailed to Athens, and Egypt was freed from the Persian yoke for a quarter of a century. Nakhthor-bread died in 364. His successor Taho equally took advantage of every opportunity to show his hatred of Persia! He united with the rebelling hostile satraps of Western Asia and, with 8,000 Egyptian warriors, 10,000 Greek mercenaries and 200 ships, rushed to Phenicia. The aged Agesilaus went to this Tagus and entered his service in order to have the opportunity to take revenge on Persia.

But instead of appointing Agesilaus as the main commander of the troops, Tagus entrusted him with only auxiliary troops, which greatly offended Agesilaus. As soon as Tagus landed in Phenicia, in Egypt, an uprising broke out in his rear, led by a certain Nakht-nebef. Agesilaus immediately joined Nakht-nebef. He joined him with his troops, helped defeat Taho and strengthened the power he had seized. As a reward for such happy support, the new king presented Agesilaus with 250 talents. With these funds, Agesilaus hoped to again help his fatherland during the unrest that was sweeping the Peloponnese at that time. On the way back, Agesilaus was thrown onto the Libyan coast by a storm. Here he died in the eighty-fourth year of his life (361), and with him the hope of Sparta to restore its former position in the Peloponnese collapsed. But the greatness of Thebes also fell into decline with the death of Epaminondas. As for Athens, then... they, according to one modern statesman, represented only the wreckage of the ship that Pericles had once ruled. Greece now lay powerless, bleeding from a thousand wounds inflicted by the fury of parties and selfishness. No less exhausted and shaken in all its foundations was the state of its primordial, irreconcilable enemy - the Persians. The wealth of Persia no longer frightened anyone, but only attracted it like prey. But for a new revitalization of the world, fate had already intended a kingdom that contained Spartan power and learned extraordinary military art in the Theban wars. At the same time, it was strong enough to conquer Greece, take possession of Persian booty and provide all creative forces with a wider field. This state, which until then not only did not attract attention, but was even despised, was Macedonia. Its rise is associated with the name of one of the greatest commanders of all times, Alexander the Great. With his conquests, which transformed the entire world of that time, a new period of ancient history begins.

If you look at the map of Greece and remember the history of Greece, you will discover an interesting pattern: the power of Greece gradually shifted from east to west. Once upon a time, under Thales of Miletus, the most prosperous cities were the cities of Asia Minor Ionia. After the Persian Wars, Athens became the most powerful state. Defeated by Sparta, they weakened, but their western neighbor, Boeotian Thebes, suddenly rose (not for long, but brightly). Then, to the west of Thebes, Phocis gained and lost strength even faster, then Aetolia; Next was the sea, and beyond the sea was the new master of the world - Rome.

Now it was Thebes' turn. Until now, they were a large but quiet city, lived according to ancient laws, obeying the nobility, were considered allies of the Spartans and peacefully tolerated the Spartan garrison in their fortress Cadmeus. Now they rebelled, overthrew the Spartan power, established the same democracy as in Athens, and for ten years went on liberation campaigns throughout Greece. The leaders of Thebes in this glorious decade were two friends - Pelopidas and Epaminondas.

Pelopidas was noble, rich, passionate and generous, Epaminondas was poor, unsociable and serious. Pelopidas commanded the Theban cavalry, Epaminondas the infantry. And thanks to Epaminondas, the Theban infantry performed a miracle: it inflicted such a defeat on the invincible Spartans, after which Sparta’s power over Greece came to an end forever.

The struggle began with the fall of Kadmea. The Spartan commander in Cadmeus was called Archias. A denunciation was brought to him at the feast that a conspiracy was being prepared against the Spartans in Thebes. “Is this an important matter? - asked Archy. “Then not at the feast, then tomorrow.” He did not live to see tomorrow: at this feast they killed him. His detachment surrendered the fortress for the right to leave with arms in hand. When those who surrendered returned to Sparta, they were all executed for humiliating Spartan honor.

The Spartan army moved to Thebes. It was scary to go against him. The fortune tellers cast lots: some of the lots were favorable, some were unfavorable. Epaminondas divided them into two groups and turned to the Thebans: “If you are brave, then this is your lot; if you are cowardly, then this is your lot.”

Before the battle, his wife asked Pelopidas to take care of himself. He replied: “This should be advised to a simple warrior, but the job of a commander is to take care of others.”

The troops converged near the city of Leuctra. They told Pelopidas: “We have fallen into the hands of the enemy.” Pelopidas objected: “Why not him for us?”

The Thebans won the battle because Pelopidas and Epaminondas lined up their troops in a new way: they strengthened one wing, weakened the other and went to the Spartan phalanx not in an even formation, but with a strong wing forward. The phalanx was poorly able to maneuver, did not have time to change formation and was crushed first on one wing, and then everywhere. The battlefield remained with the Thebans; The Spartans sent to ask for the dead to be handed over to them for burial. So that they could not downplay their losses, Epaminondas did not allow everyone to pick up the dead at once, but first the Spartan allies, then the Spartans. Then it became clear that more than a thousand Spartans alone had fallen.

The news of the terrible battle came to Sparta on the day of the holiday. There were singing competitions. The ephors sent home notices of the fallen, forbade all mourning and continued to supervise the competitions. The relatives of the fallen made sacrifices to the gods and joyfully congratulated each other on the fact that their loved ones had fallen as heroes; the relatives of the survivors seemed grief-stricken. Only three years later, when the Spartans managed to defeat the allies of Thebes without losing a single man - it went down in history as a “tearless battle” - did real feelings break through. The rulers congratulated the warriors, the women rejoiced, the old men thanked the gods. But once upon a time, victory over the enemy was such a common thing in Sparta that they did not even sacrifice anything to the gods except a rooster.

The Thebans invaded the Peloponnese and approached Sparta itself. All Peloponnesian allies broke away from Sparta. There were no troops in the city. A handful of old men came out to meet the enemy with weapons in their hands. Pelopidas and Epaminondas did not humiliate themselves to such a battle and retreated.

There was a holiday, the Thebans sang and drank, Epaminondas wandered alone in thought. "Why aren't you having fun?" - they asked him. “So you can have fun,” he replied.

Conceit comes from victories: it began to seem to the people that Epaminondas could have done even more for Thebes than he did. He was brought to trial for commanding an army four months longer than required. He said: “If you execute me, then write a sentence over the grave so that everyone knows: it was against the will of the Thebans that Epaminondas forced them to burn Laconia, which had not been burned by anyone for five hundred years, and to achieve independence for all the Peloponnesians.” And the court refused to judge Epaminondas.

Epaminondas did not get rich from his campaigns. He had only one cloak, and when this cloak was being repaired, Epaminondas did not leave the house. Pelopidas was reproached for not helping his friend. Epaminondas replied: “Why does a warrior need money?” The Persian king sent him thirty thousand gold pieces - Epaminondas replied: “If the king wants good for Thebes, I will be his friend for free, and if not, then his enemy.”

Pelopidas was captured by the Thessalian tyrant Alexander of Thera. He behaved so proudly that Alexander asked: “Why are you trying so hard to die quickly?” “So that you become more hated and die sooner,” answered Pelopidas. He turned out to be right: Alexander was soon killed.

Pelopidas remained alive. He died a few years later in battle. Before the battle they told him: “Beware, there are many enemies.” He replied: “The more we will kill them.” He did not return from this battle.

Epaminondas also died in battle - in the battle of Mantinea, which ended ten years of Theban happiness. Wounded, he was taken out of the fight and laid under a tree. The battle was already over. He asked to call Daifant to him. "He's killed." - “Then Iolaida.” - “And he was killed.” “Then make peace quickly,” said Epaminondas, “because there are no more worthy commanders in Thebes.” He fell into oblivion, then asked if he had lost his shield. They showed him his shield. “Who won the fight?” - “Thebans.” - “Then you can die.” He ordered the dart sticking out of the wound to be taken out, and blood began to flow. One of his friends regretted that he was dying childless. Epaminondas said: “My two daughters are victories at Leuctra and Mantinea.”

“Epaminondas is one of the most striking examples of selfless and faithful service to the Fatherland. Never before his rise to power in Thebes had Boeotia known such power and had such influence on the fate of the Hellenic world. That is why after his death, it quickly lost its significance.”

Future great commander born into a noble Theban family around 418 BC. e. Thanks to the nobility and wealth of his family, he was given an excellent classical education. An adherent of philosophical teachings was involved in the upbringing of the young man Pythagoras- Lysis from the city of Tarentum. It was then that the main character traits were formed Epaminondas, based on the principles of the Pythagoreans: moderation in food and entertainment, modesty in everyday life, lack of desire for luxury. Asceticism in everyday life found a way out in active government activities.

At that time Thebes were actually under the protectorate of the formidable Sparta. In the main defensive citadel of the city, the Cadmeus fortress, there was a foreign garrison, which was the support of the ruling oligarchic regime. In 379 BC. e., a group of conspirators, led by another remarkable statesman Pelopidas, managed to expel the Spartans, returning democracy to the country.

Epaminondas revived with Pelopidas in 379 BC. e. the union of the Boeotian cities, dissolved at one time after the conclusion Antalcidian world. This political and military organization became the basis for the long struggle with Sparta. The basis of the military forces of the structure was the people's militia of free citizens and professional, well-trained cavalry. There was a small but very combat-ready fleet. A force had emerged that could challenge Spartan power.

In 371 BC. e. Epaminondas Having received the posts of boeotarch and commander of the armed forces, he begins to actively prepare for the coming war. And not in vain. A large army of Spartans and allies of 10 thousand foot soldiers and thousands of horsemen, led by King Cleombrotus, soon invaded the Theban lands. Boeotarch, at the head of the assembled militia, numbering about 8 thousand soldiers, hurried to meet him.

The battle took place on June 6, 371 BC. e. near the city Leuctra, and forever entered the history of military art, thanks to the technique used Epaminondomos. He was the first commander to use the tactic of concentrating the main forces in the direction of the main attack. Understanding full well that the basis of the enemy army were selected Spartan hoplites, the boeotarch placed his best troops against them. The idea was a complete success. After Cleombrotus died during a stubborn battle, the Thebans intensified their onslaught, forcing the enemy hoplites to retreat. Seeing this, the Allied troops simply fled from the battlefield. A very painful blow was dealt to the impeccable military prestige of Sparta.

The victory brought Epaminonda well-deserved honors. However, the triumphant clearly understood that one, albeit very offensive, defeat would not reduce the power of the enemy, but rather would push him to active retaliatory measures. Therefore, the commander decides to transfer military operations to enemy territory. To ensure this plan, he makes three trips to Peloponnese in the period from 370 to 367 BC. e.

Their main result was the revival of long-forgotten and disappeared states - Arcadia and Messenia. Further, on their basis, an alliance was created with a center in Megalofield. Thus, a kind of security zone was created that protected Thebes from direct invasion from the South. In the north they were conquered Macedonia And Thessaly.

At the same time, with renewed energy, the Theban commander continues to strengthen the fleet, increasing the number of ships and increasing its combat effectiveness. A daring challenge thrown by ourselves Athens. Territories that were traditionally within the sphere of influence of the great city are captured. The island states of Rhodes, Chios and Byzantium, which are of strategic importance at the intersection of sea transport routes, are subject to the authority of Thebes. True, the campaign to Thessaly to pacify Alexander, the tyrant of the city of Thera, ends in failure. In addition to military defeat, the Thebans are deprived of a wise politician and decisive military leader, Pelopidas. The death of a longtime colleague and friend becomes a heavy loss for Epaminondas.

Such a gain Thebes could not but worry other Greek states. Unprecedented military power was becoming a real threat to them. Soon, to confront Thebes, an alliance is created between Sparta, Athens and Syracuse.

For Epaminondas The prospect of a war on two fronts became increasingly clearer. To avoid this, in 362 BC. e., he undertakes the last campaign to the south, the result of which should be the final subjugation of the main enemy. Having made a swift rush from Argos, the army of the Boeotian League finds itself under the very walls of Sparta. A battle begins, during which the Thebans manage to reach almost the center of the city. But the stubborn and heroic resistance of the inhabitants forces Epaminondas to retreat.

The decisive battle of the entire war took place in the summer of 362 BC. The army met on the plain near the Arcadian city of Mantinea. Boeotian League, and the combined forces Sparta And Athens. In the ranks of the allies there were 30 thousand infantry and 3 thousand cavalry. The enemy commanded by the king Agesilaus II, had 20 thousand hoplites, supported by 2 thousand horsemen. The battle began with an attack by the Thebans, led by the famous commander himself. The Spartans held firm, not allowing the enemy to break through their line. At some point, Epaminondas was mortally wounded by a spear and the troops retreated to their previous positions.

The last words of the great military leader were about the peace that was now to be concluded.

Epameinondas (c. 418, Thebes, - 362 BC, Mantinea), ancient Greek commander and politician.

He was educated under the guidance of the Pythagorean philosopher Lysis. In the 70-60s. (after the anti-Spartan democratic coup in Thebes in 379), together with Pelopidas (leader of the democrats, commander), he headed the Theban state and the Boeotian Union of Greek city-states, recreated on democratic principles. During the period of their joint rule, the Theban state became the largest political force in Ancient Greece.

During the Boeotian War (378-362), E. was repeatedly appointed commander-in-chief. army, defeated the Spartans at Leuctra (371). This victory and the subsequent 3 campaigns in the Peloponnese (370, 369, 367) under the leadership of E. led to the weakening of Sparta and the collapse of the Peloponnesian Union. The Theban fleet, created by E., captured the islands of Chios, Rhodes and the city of Byzantium. Military E.'s successes were largely determined by his talent as a commander, the good combat training of the Theban army, and the use of effective methods of combat. In the battle of Leuctra, E. abandoned the uniform distribution of forces along the front and concentrated the shock column in the direction of Ch. blow and achieved complete victory. Assessing E.'s contribution to the development of tactics, F. Engels wrote in his work “Infantry”: “Epaminondas was the first to discover the great tactical principle, which to this day determines the outcome of almost all decisive battles: the uneven distribution of troops along the front in order to concentrate forces for the main blow at the decisive site" (Marx K., Engels F. Soch. Ed. 2nd. T. 14, p. 355). At the Battle of Mantinea (362) this principle was further developed. E. for the first time organized close interaction between attacking cavalry and lightly armed infantry. In this battle, E. was mortally wounded.

Materials from the Soviet Military Encyclopedia were used.

Epaminondas (d. 362 BC), Theban commander and statesman. Coming from an aristocratic family, Epaminondas received a varied education, including philosophy (his teacher was the Pythagorean Lysias). In 382 BC The Spartans imposed an oligarchic regime in Thebes, which was supported by the Spartan garrison that occupied Cadmea (the fortress of Thebes), but in 379 BC. a group of Thebans led by Epaminondas and Pelopidas carried out a democratic coup, and the Spartans were expelled from Thebes. In the ensuing war, Thebes was able to organize a strong anti-Spartan coalition. There is no doubt that Epaminondas played a significant role in the entire subsequent history of Thebes, in 371 BC. he was elected boeotarch (one of the leaders of the Boeotian League) for the first time, and he led the army that defeated the Spartans at Leuctra in 371 BC, forcing them to withdraw from central Greece. The tactical innovation applied here by Epaminondas and which made his name famous was the breakthrough of the enemy front on his right, strongest flank due to a significant increase in the depth of his own ranks (up to 50 versus 12 along the entire front for the Spartans). The defeat was complete, the Spartans, with their limited human resources, could not recover from it for a long time, and Epaminondas went on the offensive. In 370–369 BC The Theban army invaded the Peloponnese to help the Arcadians achieve independence from Sparta, which was achieved without military action. Then Epaminondas invaded the outskirts of Sparta itself, into the previously reserved Eurotas Valley (this was the first enemy penetration here in historical times), and forced the Spartans to come to terms with the fall of Messenia from them. Thebes became not only the leading force in all of Greece, but also entered into rivalry with Athens at sea (Epaminondas' campaign to Byzantium in 364 BC). The creation of the Arcadian League in the Peloponnese and the penetration of the Thebans into Thessaly finally caused the displeasure of Athens and other Greek states. An anti-Theban coalition took shape, in which not only Sparta and Athens, but even Syracuse took part. In 362 BC Epaminondas invaded the Peloponnese to crush the Spartans, but the attempt to capture Sparta on the move failed, and at Mantinea he had to fight with the coalition army. The Thebans won, but Epaminondas died in this battle, and without him, Thebes soon lost its supremacy in Greece. The tactical innovations of Epaminondas, adopted and developed by the king of Macedonia, Philip II, who in his youth was in Thebes as a hostage, were the foundation for the future victories of Philip himself and his son Alexander the Great.

Materials from the encyclopedia "The World Around Us" were used.

Epaminondas (c. 411-362 BC) - son of Polymnides, famous Theban politician and commander. In 371 was elected boeotarch. At the peace congress of 371, he refused to dissolve the Boeotian League and made accusations against the Spartans. After this, the army of the Spartan king Cleombrotus invaded Boeotia. At the Battle of Leuctra on August 6, 371, Epaminondas, using oblique formation, inflicted a crushing defeat on the Spartans. Cleombrotus fell in battle, and the remnants of his army retreated. This victory allowed the Boeotians to strengthen their position in Central Greece.
In 370, at the call of the Arcadians, Epaminondas intervened in the fight against Sparta in the Peloponnese. With the Boeotian militia he passed through the Isthmus and invaded Laconia. Having devastated its territory, Epaminondas led his army to Messenia, tore it away from Sparta and restored the ancient capital of Messene. A few months later he reappeared in the Peloponnese and attempted to capture Corinth. As a simple hoplite, Epaminondas took part in the campaign against Thessaly in 368. When the Thebans were defeated by Alexander of Thera, Epaminondas took command and led the remnants of the army home.
Epaminondas turned the Boeotian League into the strongest coalition in Greece. He proved his power in 366 by appearing again in the Peloponnese and forcing many cities to join an alliance with Thebes. To also establish the naval superiority of Thebes, Epaminondas in 364 with a fleet of 100 triremes made an expedition to the Hellespont. The collapse of the Arcadian League in 363 raised fears of a restoration of Sparta's power. In August Epaminondas reappeared in the Peloponnese. His army was joined by the militia of Sicyon, Argos, Messene and the cities of southern Arcadia. First, Epaminondas moved to Tegea, from there to surprise Laconia. When these intentions were not realized, he retreated to Mantinea. An army of Spartans, Athenians and their Peloponnesian allies also approached here. In the battle, Epaminondas again won, but died while pursuing the retreating enemy.

Cornelius Nepos about Epaminondas:

“In his strong body there lived many wonderful spiritual qualities: he was modest, prudent, serious, resourceful in any circumstances, knowledgeable in military matters, valiant, generous and loved the truth so much that he did not allow lies even as a joke. Moreover, As a temperate and kind man, he surprisingly patiently endured insults both from the people and from friends.Reliably keeping other people's secrets (which is sometimes useful than the ability to speak eloquently), he loved to listen to others, believing that this is the most convenient way to learn. Therefore, having found himself in a company where they were discussing the state or talking about philosophy, he left it no earlier than at the end of the conversation. He endured poverty easily, in the public sphere he sought nothing but glory, and did not accept financial help from friends; but He used his authority to help others in such a way that one might think that he and his friends shared a common pocket...
He was also eloquent - graceful in remarks and brilliant in long speeches, so that none of the Thebans could compare with him in oratory ... "

Book materials used: Tikhanovich Yu.N., Kozlenko A.V. 350 great. Brief biography of the rulers and generals of antiquity. The Ancient East; Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome. Minsk, 2005.

Literature:

Razin E. A. History of military art, T. 1. M., 1955.

Plutarch. Pelopidas. – In the book: Plutarch. Comparative biographies, vol. 1. M., 1961

Kutergin V.F. Boeotian League in 379–335 BC. Historical sketch. Saransk, 1991

Cornelius Nepos. About famous foreign commanders. M., 1992

Thebes - a large city in Central Greece, the capital of the agricultural region of Boeotia - has never played a leading role in Greek affairs. But at the beginning of the 4th century BC. e. In Thebes, a whole galaxy of prominent political figures emerged, among whom the first place belonged to Epaminondas.

When necessary, Epaminondas went on campaign as a simple hoplite

Epaminondas was born around 410 BC. e. in a noble but poor family. From childhood, his parents instilled in the boy a love of science, especially philosophy, military affairs and music. This is how the ancient Roman historian Cornelius Nepos describes the young Epaminondas: “His strong body contained many wonderful spiritual qualities: he was modest, prudent, serious, resourceful in any circumstances, knowledgeable in military affairs, valiant, generous and so loved the truth that he did not allow lies even as a joke"

Epaminondas

Already as an adult, Epaminondas witnessed how his city was captured by the Spartans, and power was in the hands of oligarchic puppets of the Lacedaemonians. Prominent democrats and supporters of Theban independence were forced to flee. Pelopidas, a close friend of Epaminondas, also fled, but Epaminondas himself remained in the polis and was not even persecuted - the new government considered him too poor and pitiful.

The beginning of the confrontation with Sparta

In 379 BC. e. A democratic revolution took place in Thebes. Pelopidas and his comrades overthrew the Spartan proxies and besieged the Spartiates, who locked themselves in the city fortress of Cadmeus. It is interesting that Epaminondas did not take part in the coup - he, on principle, did not raise arms against his fellow citizens and considered civil wars to be the most terrible grief. But as soon as it came to battle with the Spartan garrison, Epaminondas was the first to get into line and lead the Thebans into battle.

Map of Greece at the beginning of the 4th century BC. e.

After the victory in the Peloponnesian War (431 - 404), Sparta became the pan-Greek hegemon, rallying allies around itself and harshly suppressing discontent. However, soon there was someone who dared to challenge the power of the Lacedaemonians.

At Leuctra, Epaminondas used a special battle formation, strengthening the left wing

The democratic coup in Thebes and the fall of the polis from the Peloponnesian Union did not suit the authorities of Sparta at all, and the Spartan king Cleombrotus invaded Boeotia to punish the “rebels.” Thus began the Boeotian War, which dragged on for 15 years and changed the entire balance of power in Greece. During the war, the composition of the opposing coalitions changed several times, but the main opponents remained Sparta and Thebes.

Boeotian War. Act one.

The first few years of the war passed without major battles: the matter was limited to private skirmishes and battles. During this time, Theban strategists managed to create and train a combat-ready army, hardened in battles with the strongest army of Greece. The Thebans managed to take control of most of Boeotia. In 371, a large army of Spartans and their allies invaded Boeotia. The army was led, as in previous campaigns, by one of the Spartan kings, Cleombrotus. Epaminondas marched towards him with an army. The two armies met near the town of Leuctra in Boeotia.

Epaminondas was a student of Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.

According to ancient historians, the Thebans had superiority in cavalry, both qualitative (plain Boeotia was famous for its horsemen) and quantitative. Regarding the number of infantry, the authors' data vary, but judging by the course of the battle, the enemy forces were approximately equal. The Spartans bravely accepted the battle, since they had the glory of unsurpassed warriors who could not be defeated in open battle.

Theban Wars: 1.3 hoplite infantry, 2 flutist, 4 defeated Spartan hoplite

Epaminondas resorted to tactical cunning. The fact is that the battle of the phalanx at that time was a frontal collision of two masses of infantry, and usually the right wing smashed the left wing of the enemy phalanx, since the best wars were traditionally built on the right flank, and vice versa on the left. After the defeat of the enemy's left flank, the phalanx was rebuilt and the battle continued between the victorious wings. Epaminondas radically changed the tactics of the Greek phalanx, making it dependent not on tradition, but on military necessity. He had at his disposal hardy and seasoned warriors, with the help of whom he hoped to defeat the Spartans.

Battle of Leuctra

On the left flank, Epaminondas concentrated the best hoplites of his army (including the “sacred detachment”, consisting of 300 people bound by mutual feelings and led by Pelopidas), building them in a column 50 ranks deep. The task of the left wing was to defeat the strongest flank of the Spartans, which consisted mainly of Lacedaemonians.

Epaminondas never married, but considered the victory at Leuctra to be his daughter

The rest of the phalanx lined up in 8 ranks and was supposed to advance in a ledge, with the goal of pinning down Cleombrotus' troops. Thus, according to a number of military historians, Epaminondas was the first to apply the “principle of private victory” - concentrating forces to achieve success in a separate sector of the battle to achieve a common victory.

Scheme of the Battle of Leuctra

Possessing superiority in cavalry, the commander managed to defeat the Spartan cavalry and thus hide his intentions from the Spartan king, who until the last moment could not understand whether Epaminondas was going to attack that day. In addition, the Spartan cavalry, retreating, mixed up the ranks of their own infantry, which Epaminondas took advantage of. He immediately threw his phalanx into an attack on the Spartans; a hot battle began on the left flank of the Thebans: the Spartiates themselves fought against the selected troops of Epaminondas, whose fame thundered throughout the Oecumene. However, the commander’s tactical cunning worked: the left wing broke through the front of the Spartan phalanx like a battering ram, and Cleombrotus and the entire command staff of the Spartan army died in a stubborn battle. Seeing the defeat of its right wing, the left flank wavered. The flight of the Spartan army began, the remnants of which took refuge in the camp.

Consequences of the battle

Although the Spartan army was not destroyed, the defeat at Leuctra clearly demonstrated the decline of Sparta - soon allies began to break away from it. Epaminondas himself was aware of the significance of the victory at Leuctra. When one ill-wisher tried to offend the commander, pointing out that Epaminondas never married and had no offspring, the commander replied: “I cannot have a shortage of offspring, for instead of a daughter I will leave behind a victory at Leuctra - not only more lasting, than me, but undoubtedly immortal.” And the strategist was not mistaken.

“My end has come in time - I die invincible” - dying words

The war between Thebes and Sparta continued for another 8 long years. The following year, 370, foreign troops invaded Sparta for the first time in several centuries. Needless to say, the great Epaminondas led this army.

Death of a Hero

During his last campaign in the Peloponnese in 362, Epaminondas met in a pitched battle with the Spartans near the city of Mantinea, where he re-used his famous “oblique formation”. Although the Boeotians initially had the upper hand, Epaminondas was mortally wounded by a javelin in the battle, and prominent military leaders who might have taken command after the death of the commander were also killed. Having learned about this, the commander ordered to make peace with the Spartans, since there was no one to continue the war (Pelopidas had died even earlier in Thessaly).

Isaac Valvarin. Death of Epaminondas

Thus ended another grueling pan-Greek war - the Boeotian War. It put an end to the hegemony of Sparta, just as the Peloponnesian War once put an end to the hegemony of Athens. True, Thebes, having lost all its prominent commanders during the war, was never able to maintain dominance in Greece after the death of Epaminondas.

The Boeotian War lasted 16 years and ended with the victory of Thebes

In just 30 years, Greece will be conquered by a new hegemon - Macedonia. It is interesting that the conqueror of the Greeks at Chironea, Philip II, was a hostage in Thebes in his youth and well studied the military art of the most famous son of Boeotia, Epaminondas.