Thebes was probably one of the first cities ever settled by the people we now call “Greeks.” It’s difficult to know exactly when people started living there, but there is evidence of a Mycenaean Thebes. When it chose Sparta, Sparta did better.”Įventually, all of this assistance allowed Thebes to develop a strong military tradition of its own, and its growing aggression helped bring about the end of the Classical Age of ancient Greece (c.

For example, when it chose to help Athens, Athens did better. In other words, whoever Thebes chose to support in the many wars fought amongst Greek city-states often determined the outcome of those wars. Instead, its significance was as a power broker.” But before then, it’s not like it was just sitting around doing nothing. On its own, Thebes did not achieve much until the end of the Classical Era, when it defeated Sparta and assumed control of the Greek world for a brief time. There were plenty others, and few can claim to have had as much of an impact on ancient Greek history as Thebes.” But ancient Greece didn’t rise to fame on the backs of just two cities. Athens and Sparta tend to dominate the conversation when it comes to ancient Greek city-states.

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