Thebes

Thebes was an important city in ancient Greece. It was situated in Boeotia, northwest of Athens and was amongst the most famous cities of ancient Greece. It was also the capital city of the ANCIENT GRECIAN STATE BOEOTIA, whose site on the slopes of Mount Teumessus, 44 m. NW. of Athens, is now occupied by the village of Thiva.

Its legendary history, embracing the names of Cadmus, Dionysus, Hercules, Oedipus, &c. Their struggles with Athens and Sparta during the Peloponnesian War is an important turning point in history. After the defeat of the Spartans at the battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, this city state emerged as a major military power in the region.

It rose to supremacy under Epaminondas over all Greece.

The city was destroyed in 336 BC by Alexander.