Thebes made something of a comeback when it was rebuilt by Cassander in 316 but by the Christian Era it was not much more than a large town. Occupied by the Macedonians they revolted 2 years later and were completely wiped out by his son Alexander the Great who destroyed the city, exceptįor the temples, and it’s 36,000 inhabitants were killed or became slaves. Joining the Athenians they were defeated by Phillip of Macedon at Chaeronea in 338 and every one of the Sacred Band was killed. They enjoyed their powerful position for all of 9 years but after that things went downhill quickly. Thebes became the most powerful city-state in Greece and was responsible for freeing the Messenians from Sparta and founding the city of Megalopolis in the Peloponnesus.

Led by the invincible Sacred Band of Thebes, a troop of male couples, they won the important battle of Leuktra against the Spartans in 371. The Thebans were with Leonidas and the Spartans at Thermopylae, since it is just down the road, but they lacked commitment and it is unclear if they left early, surrendered, or died with the 300 and not mentioned. Well, everyone who studied Ancient Greek history at least, since it was a major Greek city-state and a traditional enemy of Athens as well as the birthplace of Dionysius, Heracles, Pindar, Epaminondas, Oedipus and a few other historical and mythological figures.

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