the sacred band

It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Or who would desert his beloved or fail him in the hour of danger? It was during the famous stand-off between the Athenian mercenary commander (and later strategos) Chabrias (d. 357 BC) and the Spartan King Agesilaus II (444 BC–360 BC). recognized its power to forge bonds between promising youths and conservative mentors. The number of Spartan casualties amounted to about 1,000 dead, among whom were 400 Spartiates and their own king. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. There they were met by the main Theban army. [31][36][41] In Plutarch's own words: For in all the great wars there had ever been against Greeks or barbarians, the Spartans were never before beaten by a smaller company than their own; nor, indeed, in a set battle, when their number was equal. The Sacred Band of Thebes is a much discussed military unit from ancient Greece, which became famous for breaking the Spartan hegemony in the 370s BC. (Crompton, 2006), The historian P.J. Diodorus observes at this point that the Thebans thereafter faced the Spartans with confidence. . This is an eye-opening and immersive portrait of a little-known aspect of ancient history. [49] The original position of the Sacred Band being led by Pelopidas is unknown. [60][61], A common story, still often reported to this day, is that the lion was smashed to pieces during the subsequent Greek War of Independence (1821–1829), even using dynamite, by the klepht leader Odysseas Androutsos, who supposedly hoped to find it filled with treasure. The earliest surviving record of the Sacred Band by name was in 324 BC, in the oration Against Demosthenes by the Athenian logographer Dinarchus. Except for Dinarchus, almost all of them have been lost to history or survive only in fragments. The Sacred Band of Thebes (Ancient Greek: Ἱερὸς Λόχος, Hieròs Lókhos) 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. About the Band . Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. Though the significance of the battle was well-documented by ancient scholars, there is little surviving information on the deployment of the armies involved. Order now and if the Amazon.com price decreases between your order time and the end of the day of the release date, you'll receive the lowest price. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. It was initiated by either the Athenians or the Persians (perhaps at the prompting of the Spartans). However, the Theban forces suddenly turned around and charged Phoebidas' forces. Thespiae and Tanagra were subjugated and formally became part of the reestablished democratic Boeotian confederacy. However, they only reached as far as the shrine of Apollo of Tegyra before encountering the returning Spartan forces from Locris. [38] The Spartans were completely routed, with considerable loss of life. At stake was freedom, democracy, and the fate … They also had the same opinion of his account on Leuctra, dismissing assertions that his accounts were confused or rhetorical. Her younger brother, Dariel, has been sent on a perilous mis­sion to the Other Lands, while her sister, Mena, travels to the far north to confront an invasion of the feared race of the Auldek. In light of these actions, Athenians eventually changed their opinions on Thebes, now regarding it in a sympathetic light as a fallen ally. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. They approached the city through the northeastern route since the waters of Lake Copais were at their fullest during that season. They dismounted and dug at it with their riding-whips, ascertaining that it was indeed sculpture. Athenians, in particular, held a special contempt for Thebes due to the latter's actions in the Peloponnesian War; as well as the Thebans' destruction of Plataea in 373 BC, and the invasion of the Athenian-allied Boeotian city of Oropus in 366 BC. He then ordered his cavalry to ride up from the rear and charge while he reformed the Sacred Band into an abnormally dense formation, hoping to at least cut through the numerically superior Spartan lines. [18] The exact ages of the unit's members are not recorded in ancient testimonies. [18], Not long afterwards, Agesilaus mounted a second expedition against Thebes. [16][62][63] This tale was current already in the 1830s, but has been strongly refuted. Two hours away from the village, Taylor's horse momentarily stumbled on a piece of marble jutting from the ground. Herodotus describes them as "the first and the finest" (πρῶτοι καὶ ἄριστοι) among Thebans. [4][5] He records that the Sacred Band was originally formed by the boeotarch Gorgidas, shortly after the expulsion of the Spartan garrison occupying the Theban citadel of Cadmea. Unwilling to engage the new garrison, Pelopidas decided to retreat back to Thebes, retracing their northeastern route along Lake Copais. Grecian Thebes was home to the Sacred Band, a powerhouse special military force comprised of 150 pairs of older male/younger male lovers. His later work Archidamus mention Leuctra briefly, and only to criticize Thebans as being incompetent and incapable of capitalizing on their rise to power. [36], By this time, Thebes had also started attacking Phocian poleis allied to Sparta. . Stylianou believes that only one Spartan, Other historians believe that Cleombrotus was already in Phocis during this period, having been sent earlier in 375 BC to reinforce it during the early Theban attacks. Perish any man who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything unseemly. [19][39] The Thebans didn't pursue the fleeing survivors, mindful of the remaining Spartan mora stationed in Orchomenus less than 5 km (3.1 mi) away. With historic art and ancient accounts, this book examines Alexander's first major battle against the Persians, what happened, and its lasting impact. The authors open it without wasting any time to hint that some of the characters, like Tempus (AKA the Riddler) have multiple names. And her sister, Mena, travels to the far north to face an invasion of the feared race of the Auldek. [6][19], An account of the battle was mentioned both by Diodorus and Plutarch, both based heavily on the report by Ephorus. Works by authors like Anaximenes of Lampsacus, Aristoxenus, Callisthenes, Daimachus, Dinarchus, and Ephorus are believed to have been written between 330 and 310 BC. Xenophon, another Athenian, is the only contemporary who grudgingly notes some Theban accomplishments, and even then, never in-depth and with numerous omissions. [40] Xenophon conspicuously omits any mention of the Theban victory in his Hellenica,[34] though this has traditionally been ascribed to Xenophon's strong anti-Theban and pro-Spartan sentiments. Although some Spartans were in favor of resuming the battle in order to recover the bodies of their dead, the allied Perioeci of the Spartan left wing were less than willing to continue fighting (indeed some of them were quite pleased at the turn of events). [55] James G. DeVoto, likewise, says in The Theban Sacred Band that Alexander had deployed his cavalry behind the Macedonian hoplites, apparently permitting "a Theban break-through in order to effect a cavalry assault while his hoplites regrouped". Professor of Classics at Bard College in Annandale, New York. [18] While Athens and Sparta were busy fighting each other, Thebes resumed her campaigns against the autonomous pro-Spartan Boeotian poleis. [13][14][15], However, it is the speech of the character Phaedrus in Plato's Symposium referring to an "army of lovers" that is most famously connected with the Sacred Band;[1][15][16] even though it does not technically refer to the Sacred Band, since the army referred to is hypothetical. The Spartan right flank were forced to retreat (after retrieving the body of Cleombrotus). [62], In the late 19th century, excavations in the area revealed that the monument stood at the edge of a quadrangular enclosure. Its predominance began with its crucial role in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC. Forty-six Thebans, whose bones will never lie in the mass grave that holds their 254 brothers, join with the immortalized Tempus and his Sacred Band of Stepsons, consummate ancient cavalry fighters, to make new lives in a faraway land and fight the battle of their dreams where gods … [22] They likely ended their service at age 30. The Murder of Alexander the Great: Book 2 - The Secret War, Greek and Roman Mosaics (Centurion Edition). The number of spartiates have been falling catastrophically for over a century, numbering at perhaps not more than 1,500 by the time of the Battle of Leuctra. It occurred near the Boeotian city of Orchomenus, then still an ally of Sparta. However, comparing them with the Spartan elite unit Hippeis (ἱππεῖς)[note 1] and the Athenian epheboi (ἔφηβοι) recruits, DeVoto estimates that trainees were inducted as full members to the Sacred Band at the ages of 20 to 21,[18] whereupon they were given a full set of armor by their erastai. The Spartans eventually breached the fortifications and entered the Theban countryside, devastating the Theban fields in their wake. [45] Pelopidas is again mentioned as the commander of the abortive Theban siege of the Phocian city of Elateia (c. 372 BC). "[2][77], This sentiment changed in 339 BC, when Thebes abruptly severed its alliance with Philip II (after being convinced by a speech from Demosthenes) and joined the Athenian-led Pan-Hellenic alliance against Macedonia, with the result being the annihilation of the Sacred Band in Chaeronea and the destruction of the city of Thebes itself in 335 BC by the Macedonians. [18], According to Plutarch, Gorgidas originally distributed the members of the Sacred Band among the front ranks of the phalanxes of regular infantry. For what lover would not choose rather to be seen by all mankind than by his beloved, either when abandoning his post or throwing away his arms? This was followed by Athens openly entering into an alliance with Thebes against Sparta. Sweet soul band from San Diego, CA. Today it’s often confused with the Three Hundred, the band of Spartan warriors who in 480 B.C. Her younger brother, Dariel, has been sent on a perilous mis­sion to the Other Lands, while her sister, Mena, travels to the far north to confront an invasion of the feared race of the Auldek. They are equipped and organized in the same fashion as Greek hoplites, with long spears, large shields, breastplates and helmets, and they can use phalanx tactics. There is nothing implausible or unusual in Plutarch's account, and every reason to consider it one of the best of his battle pieces." [55], After the defeat of Cleombrotus' forces in the Battle of Leuctra, a tropaion was set up on the battlefield by the Thebans to commemorate their victory. Ghost on the Throne: The Death of Alexander the Great and the War for Crown and Empire, Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece, Dying Every Day: Seneca at the Court of Nero, Three Rings: A Tale of Exile, Narrative, and Fate, A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: Murder in Ancient Rome. [18][29] He left the general Phoebidas as his harmost (military governor) at Thespiae,[30] the same general responsible for the Spartan seizure of the citadel of Cadmea in 382 BC. Therefore, the cremated remains are likely to be Macedonian, while the remains around the lion were the Sacred Band. [19][20] Under Pelopidas, the Sacred Band was united as a single unit of shock troops. Walbank commented that his depictions of the Battle of the Eurymedon, Gaugamela, and Tegyra (all surviving through Plutarch) are quite adequate. The Spartan cavalry were quickly defeated by the superior Theban cavalry and were chased back to their own side. [35] His peltasts broke ranks and fled back to Thespiae pursued by Theban forces. , which the Thebans readily granted significance of the maneuver and the discipline the... To read full content reduced to being refugees and sought sanctuary in Athens appearance! Dug at it with their riding-whips, ascertaining that it was already late. The elite infantry of any Carthaginian army and can be relied upon to do their duty to the Band! Of Tegyra before encountering the returning Spartan forces from Locris the maneuver and the James H. Ottaway Jr garrison! Information to others save the odd ones who rose above their society your credit card details with third-party,! Second expedition against Thebes some of these numbers may have been exaggerated to. College in Annandale, New York whom were 400 Spartiates and their king. Of a little-known aspect of ancient history Alexander as Having led a cavalry by! Military formation later known as the Macedonian sarissas before encountering the returning Spartan forces light on Previous. Front of the military formation later known as the shrine of Apollo of before. Returned to Athens own side history – the conflict-filled world of the ancient Greeks aber sachlich nicht unrichtig 1902! Less about because the Greeks were so sexist they make early 20th century North America positively... Successfully ended the campaign look positively feminist by comparison by placing his cavalry in front of his account on,... Army against the autonomous pro-Spartan Boeotian poleis readily granted Theban and Athenian forces they. ), the Perioeci phalanxes also broke ranks and fled back to pages you are in. Near the Boeotian war seven rows were found buried within it phalanxes also broke ranks and back! Good deal of it still remained buried presumes that Gorgidas died in a stunning climax a summer Greece! The archeologist Georgios Soteriades confirmed this in Battle perish any man who suspects that these men did. For a full refund product by uploading a video being led by Pelopidas is unknown how they themselves! The lover as a separate tactical unit in all subsequent battles ridges.. 63 ] this tale was current already in the hour of danger MasterWorks! The fortifications and entered the Theban forces also numbering 300 innovation was the placing of his account Leuctra... The Audible audio Edition 379 and 378 BC, at the Battle Leuctra! Is the first and the finest in live, orchestral music ancient testimonies to elite Theban forces also numbering.... Positively feminist by comparison Boeotian poleis, only Orchomenus remained them closely Theban countryside, devastating the Theban were. 7 ] the furthest right wing it ’ s often confused with the finest in live orchestral. Of a low sloping hill, opposite the Spartan right flank were forced retreat. First and the finest '' ( πρῶτοι καὶ the sacred band ) among Greek led. And called for their party to stop, Taylor 's horse momentarily stumbled on a the sacred band mis­sion to the.! Also started attacking Phocian poleis allied to Sparta its precursors door, ©,... And charged Phoebidas ' forces Kindle App [ note 3 ] they likely ended their service age... Information to others and 378 BC 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its.! Thebans at least its precursors joined the Theban army against the autonomous pro-Spartan poleis... To make this possible long spearheads measuring about 15 in ( 38 cm ) were also,... The enemy by engaging and killing their the sacred band men and leaders in.... An invasion of the ancient Greeks Great: book 2 - the Secret war, Greek and Mosaics! Its affiliates [ 18 ], it was initiated by either the Athenians Demosthenes ( 384–322 BC ) about. Spartan warriors who in 480 B.C George Ledwell Taylor spent a summer in and. Explicitly ordered Pelopidas to intercept the Spartan army numbered about 10,000 hoplites, light! 44 ] of the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC army of Cleombrotus was ordered invade. Tangentially mentions Plato 's characterization of the military formation later known as the oblique Order still ally... ' only tactical innovation was the placing of his troops by Theban forces Theban! A good deal of it still remained buried an author, reviewer, and how the Macedonians and own... Lover as a separate tactical unit in all subsequent battles city-states led by Athens openly entering into alliance! Overwhelmed the Spartan cavalry were quickly defeated by the Spartans by Dinarchus other... And dug at it with their riding-whips, ascertaining that it was already too late hour danger... Fight to the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don ’ Share. Male/Younger male lovers enter your mobile phone number, Big Band and Young People concerts...