Thebes

views updated

Thebes City-state of ancient Greece, the dominant power in Boeotia. It allied with Persia during the Persian Wars, and during the 5th century bc was continually in conflict with Athens. It reached the peak of its power under Epaminondas in the 4th century bc, defeating the Spartans at Leuctra in 371 bc, and invading the Peloponnese. In 336 bc, the city was largely destroyed after a rising against Alexander the Great.

More From encyclopedia.com