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 continued his military career with successful campaigns in Thessaly. He is the subject of one of Plutarch's Lives biographies.
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Definition
Timeline
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386 BCETheban general Epaminondas saves the life of Pelopidas at Mantinea.
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382 BCE - 379 BCESparta establishes a garrison at Thebes.
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379 BCEPelopidas is first made Boeotarch at Thebes.
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c. 379 BCEPelopidas removes the Spartan garrison from the Theban acropolis.
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375 BCEThebes defeats Sparta at the Battle of Tegyra.
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371 BCE - 362 BCEThebes is the dominant city-state in Greece.
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371 BCEThebes, led by Epaminondas, defeats Sparta in the Battle of Leuctra.
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369 BCETheban generals Pelopidas and Epaminondas are both charged with exceeding their term of office but are acquitted.
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368 BCE - 365 BCEYoung Philip II is captured by Pelopidas and held hostage in Thebes.
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367 BCETheban general Epaminondas rescues fellow general Pelopidas from Alexander of Pherai in Thessaly.
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364 BCETheban general Pelopidas is victorious but killed at the Battle of Kynoskephalai.
