Epaminondas

Lore & Background

Epaminondas was born at Thebes to a family claiming descent from the mythical Spartoi. His father was Polymnis, and he had a brother named Caphisias. His education was excellent and comprehensive, including music, dance, and philosophy taught by Lysis of Tarentum, a Pythagorean. Epaminondas embraced Pythagorean philosophy, led a frugal lifestyle, and never married, cultivating friendships notably with Pelopidas. He was known for patriotism, incorruptibility, selflessness, modesty, eloquence, and a taciturn demeanor with aptitude for crude humor.

In 382 BC, the Spartan commander Phoebidas seized the Theban acropolis (the Cadmeia) and installed a puppet government. Epaminondas, associated with the anti-Spartan faction, was allowed to remain because his philosophy made him seem a recluse and his poverty impotent. In the winter of 379 BC, exiles led by Pelopidas infiltrated Thebes, assassinated the pro-Spartan leaders, and with Epaminondas and Gorgidas leading young men and Athenian hoplites, surrounded the Spartans on the Cadmeia. The Spartan garrison surrendered and marched away unharmed.

Epaminondas's military career culminated in the victory at Leuctra in 371 BC, which broke Spartan military power. He liberated the Messenian helots, enslaved for some 230 years. His campaigns from 371 BC to 362 BC established a decade-long Theban hegemony but sapped the strength of the great city-states, paving the way for Macedonian hegemony. He died in 362 BC at his last battle, as recorded by Xenophon.

Reader's Guide

Epaminondas's significance lies in his transformation of Thebes from a subordinate Spartan ally into the dominant power in Greece, a period known as the Theban Hegemony. His victory at Leuctra in 371 BC broke the myth of Spartan invincibility and liberated the Messenian helots, ending centuries of enslavement. He invented the oblique order, a tactical innovation that influenced later military commanders. However, the changes he wrought did not long outlive him; the cycle of shifting hegemonies continued, and twenty-seven years after his death, Thebes was obliterated by Alexander the Great. Epaminondas is today largely remembered for a decade of campaigning that established Theban hegemony but also sapped the strength of the great city-states, paving the way for Macedonian hegemony. Ancient sources are sparse; Plutarch's biography of him is lost, and the main contemporary source is Xenophon, who was partial to Sparta. Later Roman orator Cicero called him 'the first man of Greece,' and Michel de Montaigne judged him one of the three 'worthiest and most excellent men' who had ever lived.

Did You Know?

• Epaminondas's year of birth cannot be determined with precision, with estimates varying between 419 and 411 BC.
• He was taught philosophy by Lysis of Tarentum, a Pythagorean who had escaped persecution in Magna Graecia and settled in Epaminondas's father's house.
• Epaminondas never married and lived in voluntary poverty, in keeping with his Pythagorean philosophy.
• The Roman orator Cicero called Epaminondas 'the first man of Greece.'

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Epaminondas (Ἐπαμεινώνδας; circa 419/411–362 BC) was a Greek general and statesman of the city-state of Thebes, best known for defeating the Spartans at the Battle of Leuctra." — Epaminondas "When the Spartans accused the Thebans of a long list of serious offences, he retorted, "These Thebans, however, have put a stop to your brevity of speech!" — Epaminondas "Epaminondas is reported wittily to have said of a good man that died about the time of the battle of Leuctra, "How came he to have so much leisure as to die, when there was so much stirring?" — Epaminondas "Spintharus, speaking in commendation of Epaminondas, says he scarce ever met with any man who knew more and spoke less." — Epaminondas