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Thebes (THIVA the capital of B otia)

or THIVA, the capital of Bœotia in ancient Greece; founded, according to tradition, by a colony of Phœnicians, under Cadmus, 1550 в. c., oт 1400 B. C. They were driven out by the Bœotians, 1124 B. c. Platæa, one of the Bœotian cities, revolted from Thebes 510 в. c., and applied for help to Athens. A war ensued between Thebes and Athens, in which the latter was victorious. This caused much animosity between Thebes and Athens, and in the Persian War, 480 B. C., the Thebans deserted the cause of Greece and fought against the Athenians at Platæa, 479 в. c. The Athenians invaded Bœotia, and established a democratic government in Thebes, 456 в. c. The Thebans were allies of the Spartans in the Peloponnesian War, 431 в. c.-404 B. C. Sparta having claimed supremacy over the whole of Greece, the Thebans joined the Athenians, 395 в. c. The peace of Antalcidas put an end to the war, 387 B. C., and deprived Thebes of her supremacy over Bœotia. The Spartans, who treacherously seized the citadel of Thebes 382 B. C., were defeated at Leuctra, in July, 371 B. c.; and the Thebans regained Cyc. Vol. IX THEBES or THIVA their power in Greece. Thebes was razed to the ground by Alexander III., 335 в. C., after which it never again formed an independent state. Cassander restored the city 315 B. c., and it was taken by Demetrius 293 B. C., and again 290 B. C. The Thebans were defeated in an attempt to expel the Bulgarians from Greece in 1040, and their city was plundered by the Normans of Sicily in 1146. It was one of the most flourishing cities of Greece during the 10th and 11th centuries. It was almost wholly destroyed by an earthquake in 1893.