Dear Classical Wisdom Member,
Sometimes the further back you peer into history the more shockingly relevant and relatable it seems. The tendencies of war… the regrouping of allies based on who is on top… puppet regimes and attempts at liberation. Change the name of the actors and the game plans seem so oddly familiar.
However, there is every now and then a personality that literally shapes the course of history. A way of thinking, being and executing that allows the individual to accomplish the impossible… and to influence others to do the same.
How else can we explain the extraordinary achievements of Epaminondas, the military genius who transformed ancient Greece? Even though he is not a household name, he certainly should be!
Read on to discover this remarkable man…
All the best,
Anya Leonard
Founder and Director
Classical Wisdom
Epaminondas: The Theban Military Genius who Transformed Ancient Greece
By Edward Whelan
Ancient Greece produced many remarkable military leaders; one of the most outstanding, yet underrated, of these was Epaminondas. As a general he was the equal of some of the greatest Greeks and his influence on fourth century BC Greece cannot be overstated. Even though he isn’t as often discussed, an appreciation of Epaminondas is necessary to understand the era that saw the end of Sparta's hegemony, and Thebes's rise to greatness.
Thebes was famously taken over by Athens or Sparta and had sided with the Persians during the invasions of Xerxes in the Second Persian War. However, it was also situated strategically in central Greece in Boeotia and was the dominant power in the region... and at one time the most powerful in Greece. Yet despite this centrality and importance, ancient Greek studies tend to concentrate on Athens and Sparta, and only occasionally on city-states such as Corinth as well. Thebes, on the other hand, has been relatively neglected until now. Modern scholars, authors and archeologists have begun to recognize its importance, attested by the many myths set in the city, such as those about Heracles and Oedipus, as well as its role in Greek city-state politics.
The early life of Epaminondas
Epaminondas was born around 415/414 BC into an aristocratic family that had lost much of its wealth. Little is known of his early life but he was educated in the gymnasium and was trained in the arts and also received military training. The young man was taught philosophy by the Pythagorean philosopher Lysis of Taras, a refugee who had found shelter in Thebes. Epaminondas revered his teacher, and his subsequent austere lifestyle was inspired by Pythagorean teachings.
Early Career
After the Peloponnesian War, Sparta was the dominant power in Greece. They had defeated Thebes in several bloody battles during the Corinthian War, forcing them to become their allies. In 404 BC, the Spartan king treacherously seized and garrisoned the citadel of Thebes, (Cadmeia) and established a puppet regime. Despite being openly anti-Spartan, Epaminondas was not persecuted at this time because of his poverty and philosophical disposition. The Theban statesman and general, Pelopidas, along with some Theban patriots, infiltrated the city and incited the population to rebel. Epaminondas
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