map of ancient boeotia showing location of city of orchomenus
as single unit under pelopidas, first recorded victory of sacred band @ battle of tegyra (375 bc). occurred near boeotian city of orchomenus, still ally of sparta. hearing reports spartan garrison in orchomenus had left locris, pelopidas set out sacred band , few cavalry, hoping capture in absence. approached city through northeastern route since waters of lake copais @ fullest during season. upon reaching city, learned new mora had been sent sparta reinforce orchomenus. unwilling engage new garrison, pelopidas decided retreat thebes, retracing northeastern route along lake copais. however, reached far shrine of apollo of tegyra before encountering returning spartan forces locris.
the spartans composed of 2 morai led polemarchoi gorgoleon , theopompus. outnumbered thebans @ least 2 one. according plutarch, upon seeing spartans, 1 of thebans allegedly told pelopidas fallen our enemy s hands pelopidas replied, , why not ours? ordered cavalry ride rear , charge while reformed sacred band abnormally dense formation, hoping @ least cut through numerically superior spartan lines. spartans advanced, confident in numbers, have leaders killed in opening clashes. leaderless , encountering forces equal in discipline , training first time in sacred band, spartans faltered , opened ranks, expecting thebans pass through , escape. instead, pelopidas surprised them using opening flank spartans. spartans routed, considerable loss of life. thebans didn t pursue fleeing survivors, mindful of remaining spartan mora stationed in orchomenus less 5 km (3.1 mi) away. stripped dead , set tropaion (τρόπαιον, commemorative trophy left @ site of battle victory) before continuing on thebes. having proven worth, pelopidas kept sacred band separate tactical unit in subsequent battles.
an account of battle mentioned both diodorus , plutarch, both based heavily on report ephorus. xenophon conspicuously omits mention of theban victory in hellenica, though has traditionally been ascribed xenophon s strong anti-theban , pro-spartan sentiments. obscure allusion orchomenus in hellenica, however, implies xenophon aware of spartan defeat.
the exact number of belligerents on each side varies account. diodorus puts number of thebans @ 500 against spartans 1,000 (each mora consisting of 500 men), apparently basing on ephorus original figures. plutarch puts number of thebans @ 300, , acknowledges 3 sources number of spartans: 1000 account of ephorus; 1,400 callisthenes (c. 360–328 bc); or 1,800 polybius (c. 200–118 bc). of these numbers may have been exaggerated due overall significance of battle. battle, while minor, remarkable being first time spartan force had been defeated in pitched battle, dispelling myth of spartan invincibility. left deep impression in greece , boosted morale among boeotians, foreshadowing later battle of leuctra. in plutarch s own words:
for in great wars there had ever been against greeks or barbarians, spartans never before beaten smaller company own; nor, indeed, in set battle, when number equal. hence courage thought irresistible, , high repute before battle made conquest of enemies, thought no match men of sparta on equal terms. battle first taught other greeks, not eurotas, or country between babyce , cnacion, breeds men of courage , resolution; youth ashamed of baseness, , ready venture in cause, fly disgrace more danger, there, wherever be, found bravest , formidable opponents.
shortly after this, athenians initiated common peace of 375 bc (Κοινὴ Εἰρήνη, koine eirene) among greek city-states. according xenophon, alarmed @ growing power of thebes , weary of fending off spartan fleets alone thebans not contributing money maintaining athenian fleet. broke down after in 374 bc, when athens , sparta resumed hostilities on korkyra (modern corfu). during time period, athens gradually became hostile thebes. while athens , sparta busy fighting each other, thebes resumed campaigns against autonomous pro-spartan boeotian poleis. thespiae , tanagra subjugated , formally became part of reestablished democratic boeotian confederacy. in 373 bc, thebans under command of boeotarch neocles attacked , razed traditional rival, boeotian city of plataea. plataean citizens allowed leave alive, reduced being refugees , sought sanctuary in athens. of pro-spartan boeotian poleis, orchomenus remained.
by time, thebes had started attacking phocian poleis allied sparta. pelopidas again mentioned commander of abortive theban siege of phocian city of elateia (c. 372 bc). in response theban army outside city s walls, phocian general onomarchus brought out inhabitants of city (including elderly, women, , children) , locked gates. placed non-combatants directly behind defenders of elateia. on seeing this, pelopidas withdrew forces, recognizing phocians fight death protect loved ones.
by 371 bc, there attempt revive king s peace curb rise of thebes. initiated either athenians or persians (perhaps @ prompting of spartans). spartans sent large force led king cleombrotus (spartans have 2 kings simultaneously) phocis, ready invade boeotia if thebans refuse attend peace conference or accept terms.
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