Theban Hegemony: Did you mean...?

A map showing ancient Greece at the time of Theban hegemony, 371 BCE to 362 BCE.

Epaminondas (or Epameinondas, c. 420 - 362 BCE) was a Theban general who famously defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE. The daring and brilliant pre-meditated tactics of Epaminondas earned a decisive victory over Sparta and...

The Median hegemony (late 7th-early 6th century BCE) emerged in the aftermath of the Bronze Age Collapse (c. 1200-1150 BCE) and, more directly, the disintegration of the Neo-Assyrian Empire (to 612/609 BCE). Under rulers such as Cyaxares...

Bell-Krater (mixing bowl) depicting the Theban Sphinx and Oedipus in the guise of a satyr. Greek, South Italian, Paestan, red-figure, 3rd quarter of the 4th century BCE. Attributed to Python. (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

The Sacred Band of Thebes was an elite unit of the Theban army comprised of 150 gay male couples totaling 300 men. They were formed under the leadership of Gorgidas but first achieved fame under the general Pelopidas. They remained invincible...

This painted fragment from ancient Egypt depicts a woman from the city of Thebes. It was likely painted on stone c. 1300 BCE. (Musée du Cinquantenaire, Brussels)

The vacillating nature of Ancient Egypt's associations with the Kingdom of Kerma may be described as one of expansion and contraction; a virtual tug-of-war between rival cultures. Structural changes in Egypt's administration led to alternating...

Karnak is the modern-day name for the ancient site of the Temple of Amun at Thebes, Egypt. The Egyptians called the site Nesut-Towi, "Throne of the Two Lands", Ipet-Iset, "The Finest of Seats" as well as Ipt-Swt, "Selected Spot" also given...

Pelopidas (c. 410 - 364 BCE) was a gifted Theban general and leader of the elite Sacred Band who, along with Epaminondas, is credited with helping Thebes rise to its greatest power. Defeating the mighty Spartans in several battles Pelopidas...

Thebes was the capital of Egypt during the period of the New Kingdom (c.1570-c.1069 BCE) and became an important center of worship of the god Amun (also known as Amon or Amen, a combination of the earlier gods Atum and Ra). Its sacred name...