AR stater 368-364 BCE
12.062g 21.2mm
Kabi magistrate
BCD Boiotia 539, BMC Central p.83, 150; SNG Cop 339; Hepworth 61
Thebes, of course, was a major player in the Greek world. While our schools simplify ancient Greece as “Athens vs Sparta” the reality was more complex. Thebes was easily an equal at times to those powers, and fought against both.
Thebes was also a bulwark againts the rise of Philip II, and joined together with Athens in one final battle to prevent his hegemony in Greece. They were soundly defeated in the Battle of Chaeronea. Not long afterward, however, the received the great news that Philip II had been assassinated.
Feeling that Alexander III was a young kid who couldn’t handle a rebellion, Thebes did just that, while Athens supported them in words and not actions, since they were anxious what would happen. Thebes had made a huge mistake.
Although Alexander gave them multiple attempts to submit and avoid war, they only insulted the Macedonians. It was time for an example. Alexander obliterated the city, killed the men, and sold the women and children into slavery. Thebes, one of the great powers in Greece for hundreds of years, ceased to exist. The other cities, Athens included, got the message and capitulated.
The city remained in ruins until after Alexander‘s death, when it was rebuilt by Kassander. This coin was minted shortly after the Battle of Mantinea, in which Thebes stunned the world by defeating a Spartan army in the field. This earned Thebes the top spot among Greek cities, but it didn’t last long.
I’d like to think that this coin was minted at a time when Thebes was king, then was cached away while Alexander‘s armies approached. The city was destroyed and its owner never returned. Over 2000 years later, it was dug up, sold, and eventually reached my home.
Priene founded by colonists from Thebes.
Orchomenos joins the Boeotian League, headed by Thebes.
Aegina and Thebes give “earth and water” to the Persians under Darius I.
Thebes is reinstated by Sparta as the dominant power in Boeotia.
Thebes attempts to reduce Plataea but are prevented by Athens.
Thebes destroys Plataea with the help of Sparta.
Thebes helps Thespiai suppress a democratic revolution.
The Spartans under Agesilaos II attack and Persia. Artaxerxes II retaliates by bribing Corinth, Thebes, and Athens to make war on Sparta.
Thebes takes Herakleia Trachineia from Sparta and installs the Trachinians and Oetaians.
July
Sparta and their allies, including Sikyon and Tegea, defeat Athens and their allies at the Battle of Nemea. On Athens side are Thebes, Lokris Opuntii, and Corinth. With Sparta are Halieis, Sikyon, Epidauros, Troizen, and Hermione. Phlious remains neutral. Pellene fights on the side of Sparta against Thespiai.
Spartans use treachery to take the citadel of Thebes.
Thebes expels the Spartan garrison at its citadel.
Eresos, Byzantion, Chios,Mytilene, Methymna, Rhodes, Thebes, Korkyra, Eretria, Kios, Samos, Naxos, Andros, Myrina (Lembos), Hephaistia, Imbros, and Thasos join the Second Athenian League, reaffirming its alliance with Athens in response to the growing threat of Persian interference and internal Greek conflicts.
Thebes with Thespiai accomplishes a remarkable victory over Sparta at the Battle of Leuktra.
The Thebans under Epaminondas rebuild the city of Messene.
Thebes attacks Spartan territory in Prasiai. Sikyon rushes to help Sparta.
Thespiai is again razed by Thebes and its citizens expelled.
The Theban general Pelopidas intervenes in Macedonian affairs, leading an expedition to secure Alexander II‘s position. However, Alexander is forced to agree to a treaty that acknowledges Theban influence and sends his brother Philip II to Thebes as a hostage.
The Theban general Pelopidas intervenes in Macedonian affairs, leading an expedition to secure Alexander II‘s position. However, Alexander is forced to agree to a treaty that acknowledges Theban influence and sends his brother Philip II to Thebes as a hostage.
Persia under Artaxerxes II provides funds to Sparta to continue the Spartan-Theban war. They probably also provide funds to Athens.
July
The Theban Pelopidas is sent to negotiate with Alexander of Pherai, who throws him in prison.
Artaxerxes II attempts to mediate between the Greek states. He proposes a settlement that highly favors Thebes and leaves Messene free. All states except for Thebes reject it.
Thebes defeats Alexander of Pherai at the Battle of Cynoscephalae, but their general Pelopidas is killed.
Philip II returns to Macedon from Thebes.
The Boeotian League, headed by Thebes, sacks Orchomenos.
Euphron flees Sikyon to Thebes, where he is killed.
With Theban power down after the death of Epaminondas, Alexander of Pherai takes Tinos and sells the inhabitants as slaves, then besieges Peparethos. Athens defeats Alexander near Sounion and relieves Peparethos. Alexander then plunders Piraios.
Artabazos II enlists the help of Thebes, but he is defeated by forces under Artaxerxes III Okhos. Artabazos flees to the court of Philip II.
Chares takes up service with the breakaway satrap Artabazos. Artaxerxes III Okhos pressures Athens, and Chares is forced to leave. Artabazos then hires Thebans.
Sparta attempts to destroy Megalopolis, but the city is rescued by Thebes.
Orchomenos is destroyed again by Thebes.
Phokis uses its three fortified cities of Orchomenos, Koroneia, and Koriai to fight against Thebes and the rest of Boeotia.
Philip II hands over Orchomenos and Koroneia to Thebes.
Artaxerxes III Okhos finally succeeds in re-conquering Egypt under Nektanebo II, with the help of mercenaries from Argos, Thebes, and Mentor of Rhodes.
The Aetolian League, Athens, and Thebes revolt against Macedon after the death of Philip II.
Alexander the Great demolishes Thebes after a rebellion. Perdikkas is severely wounded in the battle. Orchomenos and Thespiai fight on the side of Alexander.
Alexander III travels through Pelinna on his way to Thebes.
326 BCE
Kassander founds Kassandreia from Potidaia and Mende, founds Thessalonika, and rebuilds Thebes.
The bones of Hector are moved from Ophryneion to Thebes to satisfy an oracle.
Demetrios Poliorketes takes Athens from Kassander and forces Demetrios of Phaleron to flee to Thebes.
Demetrios Poliorketes and Antigonos II take Thebes after a siege. Huge siege engines are used to break its walls.
Thebes allies itself with Lysimachos and the Aetolian League.
Thebes is included in the new province of Achaia.