Phoebidas
Phoebidas (Greek: Φοιβίδας) was a Spartan general who, in 382 BC, seized the Theban acropolis, thus giving Sparta control over Thebes. To punish his unauthorized action, Phoebidas was relieved of command. Nevertheless, the Spartans continued to hold Thebes. The Spartan king Agesilaus argued against punishing Phoebidas, on the grounds that his actions had benefitted Sparta, arguing that that was the only standard by which he should be judged.[1]
In 378 BC, the Thebans tried to take Thespiae, but were beaten back by Phoebidas who was serving as the harmost of that city. Phoebidas sallied out against the retreating Thebans, he lost 500 while he himself was killed by cavalry under the command of the Theban general Gorgidas.[2][3][4]
Several years later, Phoebidas's actions appear to have been the model for a similar action by another general, Sphodrias, who attempted to seize Piraeus, the port of Athens.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Fine, John V.A. The Ancient Greeks: A critical history (Harvard University Press, 1983) ISBN 0-674-03314-0
- ^ James G. DeVoto (1992). "The Theban Sacred Band". The Ancient World. 23 (2): 3–19.
- ^ Polyaenus (trans. R. Shepherd, 1793). Στρατηγήματα [Stratagems in War]. Vol. Book 2.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Siculus, Diodorus. "33". Library. Vol. XV.
Further reading[edit]
- Xenophon (1890s) [original 4th century BC]. . Translated by Henry Graham Dakyns – via Wikisource.
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