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An excellent illustration of the seminal Battle of Leuctra (Leuktra) (Λεύκτρα) in 371 BC.
The Spartans (Σπαρτιάτες) were the most feared city-state having defeated the Athenians (Αθηναίοι) and their allies during the Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC. They had also emerged victorious during the Corinthian War from 395-387 BC against the combined forces of the Athenians, Argives, Corinthians, Thebans, etc.
However, it was in 371 BC at the Battle of Leuctra (Λεύκτρα) when Spartan invincibility came to a halt. Despite amassing approximately 10,500 Spartan hoplites and outnumbering the Boeotian League which mobilized around 6500 warriors, the Spartans were defeated by the Boetians who were led by the Theban commander, Epaminondas (Ἐπαμεινώνδας).
The defeat, which included the death of the Spartan king Cleombrotus I (Κλεόμβροτος Α΄), signaled the decline of Spartan hegemony and the establishment of Theban (θηβαϊκός) supremacy.
The illustration of the battle is by artist, Johnny Shumate.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
The Spartans (Σπαρτιάτες) were the most feared city-state having defeated the Athenians (Αθηναίοι) and their allies during the Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC. They had also emerged victorious during the Corinthian War from 395-387 BC against the combined forces of the Athenians, Argives, Corinthians, Thebans, etc.
However, it was in 371 BC at the Battle of Leuctra (Λεύκτρα) when Spartan invincibility came to a halt. Despite amassing approximately 10,500 Spartan hoplites and outnumbering the Boeotian League which mobilized around 6500 warriors, the Spartans were defeated by the Boetians who were led by the Theban commander, Epaminondas (Ἐπαμεινώνδας).
The defeat, which included the death of the Spartan king Cleombrotus I (Κλεόμβροτος Α΄), signaled the decline of Spartan hegemony and the establishment of Theban (θηβαϊκός) supremacy.
The illustration of the battle is by artist, Johnny Shumate.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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An excellent illustration by Angus McBride of warriors from the area of Boeotia, which was a region of central Greece, north of Athens which included the city-states of Thebes and Thespiae.
Incidentally, two of the city-states which were prominent in the defense of Thermopylae (480 BC) were the Boeotian city-states of Thebes and Thespiae.
The Theban warrior to the far right carries the shield with the club of Heracles (Herakles) device, while the serpent emblem signified warriors was from the clan of Theban Spartioi (Spartoi). It should be noted that despite the similarity to the name Sparta, there was no link between the Spartioi and the Spartans.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
Incidentally, two of the city-states which were prominent in the defense of Thermopylae (480 BC) were the Boeotian city-states of Thebes and Thespiae.
The Theban warrior to the far right carries the shield with the club of Heracles (Herakles) device, while the serpent emblem signified warriors was from the clan of Theban Spartioi (Spartoi). It should be noted that despite the similarity to the name Sparta, there was no link between the Spartioi and the Spartans.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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An image of the majestic 'Lion of Chaeronea' which was erected as a monument to the 300 elite warriors known as the Sacred Band of Thebes who were defeated in 338 BC by the Macedonians led by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great.
The battle ended the city-state of Thebes' ascendancy as the best fighting force in Greece as they had defeated the Spartans at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Macedonia
The battle ended the city-state of Thebes' ascendancy as the best fighting force in Greece as they had defeated the Spartans at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Macedonia
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An exceptional photograph of the monument for the gallant Thespians, ALL 700 of whom died at Thermopylae in 480 BC with 298 of the 300 Spartans.
Photograph: Rik Freeman
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
Photograph: Rik Freeman
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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A warrior from the city-state of Thespiae, best remembered for their defense at Thermopylae when all 700 hoplites died together with the Spartans during the famous three-day battle in 480 BC.
Thespian hoplite - Illustration by Christos Giannopoulos
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Classics
Thespian hoplite - Illustration by Christos Giannopoulos
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Classics
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Currency from the city-state of Thespiae and home to the braveThespian warriors. It depicts the Boeotian shield used by the warriors from that region and the first three letters ΘΕΣ(ΠΙΕΩΝ - of Thespians) along with the crescent which was the emblem used on the Thespian warriors' shields.
Image courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG)
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
Image courtesy of Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG)
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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The restored victory monument which signified the Theban victory over the Spartans at Leuctra on July 6, 371 BC.
It was this battle that marked the end of dominance by the Spartans over the rest of Greece. The Spartans even though they defeated other city-states after Leuctra, the aura of invincibility had been pierced.
Photograph: Vasilis Anastopoulos
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
It was this battle that marked the end of dominance by the Spartans over the rest of Greece. The Spartans even though they defeated other city-states after Leuctra, the aura of invincibility had been pierced.
Photograph: Vasilis Anastopoulos
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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One of the best illustrations of the final day's fighting at Thermopylae in 480 BC, this one by the late, great artist, Peter Connolly.
While the movies have emphasized the Spartan contribution to the defense of the 'Hot Gates', totally overlooked, or should I say omitted is the contingent of 700 warriors from the city-state of Thespiae who died to the last man.
Rather than surrendering, they also died with the Spartans underneath the hail of arrows discharged from the bows of the Immortals.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
While the movies have emphasized the Spartan contribution to the defense of the 'Hot Gates', totally overlooked, or should I say omitted is the contingent of 700 warriors from the city-state of Thespiae who died to the last man.
Rather than surrendering, they also died with the Spartans underneath the hail of arrows discharged from the bows of the Immortals.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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An exceptional illustration by +Jim Carrozza of warriors representing the city-states of Thebes (Η πόλη-κράτος της Θήβας). Their shield has the emblem of the club of Heracles which was associated with the Theban warriors.
Totally overlooked in the movies inspired by the Battle of Thermopylae ("300" and "The 300 Spartans"), is the contingent of 400 Thebans from the region of central Greece, named Boeotia.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
Totally overlooked in the movies inspired by the Battle of Thermopylae ("300" and "The 300 Spartans"), is the contingent of 400 Thebans from the region of central Greece, named Boeotia.
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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A wonderful illustration of a 4th century, BC. Thespian warrior from the region of Boeotia. The Thespians are remembered for their valiant defense of Thermopylae in 480 BC, who died during the last stand along with the 300 Spartans.
In this image, in lieu of the famous Corinthian helmet, the hoplite is wearing the Pilos helmet which increased visibility and hearing. The shield device is the crescent moon which is associated with the warriors from the city-state of Thespiae.
Attribution: Christos Giannopoulos
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
In this image, in lieu of the famous Corinthian helmet, the hoplite is wearing the Pilos helmet which increased visibility and hearing. The shield device is the crescent moon which is associated with the warriors from the city-state of Thespiae.
Attribution: Christos Giannopoulos
#MilitaryHistory #Warfare #Greece
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