Theban hegemony was ideologically democratic too - while Sparta supported oligarchies, Thebes supported democratic city-states.
The Sacred Band was considered all-but-invincible, and only brought to an end by Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great’s father, using the novel sarissa (pike) phalanx. Philip II is said to have wept upon realizing the Sacred Band had fought to the last, and said “Perish any man who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything unseemly.”
It really is beautiful isn’t? Better than the Spartans as far as I’ve learned.
Not saying they have a better mythological history, with the incest and gouging of the eyes, but I really do appreciate the politics. Though Creon was maybe not the best…
Theban hegemony was ideologically democratic too - while Sparta supported oligarchies, Thebes supported democratic city-states.
The Sacred Band was considered all-but-invincible, and only brought to an end by Philip II of Macedon, Alexander the Great’s father, using the novel sarissa (pike) phalanx. Philip II is said to have wept upon realizing the Sacred Band had fought to the last, and said “Perish any man who suspects that these men either did or suffered anything unseemly.”
It really is beautiful isn’t? Better than the Spartans as far as I’ve learned.
Not saying they have a better mythological history, with the incest and gouging of the eyes, but I really do appreciate the politics. Though Creon was maybe not the best…
Thank you for reminding me of this group!