Thebes

a city of Greece. It was situated on a plateau in Boeotia, north of Athens. It was surrounded by a wall having seven strongly fortified gates. According to tradition, it was founded by Phoenicians under Cadmus, the same who sowed dragon's teeth and raised men, and who first brought the alphabet to Greece. Thebes was the reputed birthplace of Bacchus and Hercules. At certain periods, the Thebans played an important part in the history of Greece. During the Persian wars the city fell into disrepute by making its peace with the Persian monarchs. In the Peloponnesian War Thebes sided with the Spartans against Athens. The most celebrated Theban was Epaminondas, under whose leadership the city acquired a supremacy over Athens and Sparta, which came to an end, however, with the battle of Mantinea, 362 B. C. Philip and his son Alexander reduced the city to utter subjection, destroying its walls and illtreating the inhabitants. The Thebans appeared for the last time in history during the war between the Romans and Mithridates. The city chose the losing side of the controversy and was destroyed by the Romans. The ancient site is now occupied by a village of possibly 3,000 inhabitants. See Oedipus; Epaminondas; Pindar