The Theban Wars with Sparta, 382-362 BC

Dr. John Lewis

August 31, 2007

Basic Chronology of the Theban Wars with Sparta

(All dates BC)

(Xenophon Hellenika = Xen Hell)

(Diodorus Sikulus Histories = DS)

431-403           The Peloponnesian War: Athens defeated by Sparta

395-387           The Corinthian War: Sparta versus Greek coalitions

386                  The first King’s Peace (The Peace of Antalcidas) (Xen Hell 5.1)

385                  Sparta intervenes at Mantinea and Phlius

382-379           Spartan Occupation of the Cadmeia: the acropolis in Thebes

                        Sparta tries to destroy the Boiotian Federation

378                  The Boiotian War breaks out (DS 15.25-27; Xen Hell 5.4)

                        DS 15.28-35:  The Boiotian Alliance                       

                        The Second Athenian Sea League formed

                        Athens allies with Thebes, versus Sparta

                        Sparta, under King Agesilaos, invades Boiotia twice

                        Spartan General Sphodriades occupies the Peiraeus without authorization

376                   Spartans under Cleombrotos march ineffectually against Thebes

Thebans defeat Spartan garrison at Orchomenos (DS 15.36-37)

Athenians defeat a Sparan fleet at Naxos

375                  Second King’s Peace; Thebes is diplomatically isolated (DS 15.38-40; Xen Hell 5.2)

                       Spartan contingent defeated at the Battle of Tegya in Boiotia

                       Spartans aid Phokians in Boiotia versus Thebans

                       Control of the Chalcidice taken by Athens

374                  Thebes razes fortifications at Plataea and Thespiae

                       Civil Strife in Greece (DS 15.45-47)

                       Corcyra: Sparta vs Athens (15.46-47)

                       (Athens: Timotheus, Son of Conon, tried, Xen Hell 5.2.3; Nepos Tim 4; Dem 49.9 f.)

372                  King’s Peace renewed; Spartan expedition against Thebes (DS 15.50; Xen Hell 6.3)

371                 Battle of Leuktra; Spartans defeated by Thebans (DS 15.51-56; Xen Hell 6.4)

                       Peace Conference in Athens; Agesilaos erases Thebes from the treaty (Plut Agesilaus 28.1-2)

370                  Arcadian Federal League is formed; Spartan expedition to Arcadia

                        Civil Strife in Argos (DS 15.57-60; Xen Hell 6.5)

1^st Boiotian invasion of the Peloponnesus (DS 15.64-67; Xen Hell 6.5)

Restoration of Messene (omitted by Xenophon)

369                  2^nd Boiotian invasion of Peloponnesus (DS 15.68-69; Xen Hell 7.1)

368                  Spartans defeat the Arcadians (the “Tearless Battle”) (Xen Hell 7.1.31-32)

Founding of Megalopolis (omitted by Xenophon)

367                  3^rd Boiotian invasion of the Peloponnesus (DS 15.75)

366                  Peace of Thebes (brokered by Persian King Artaxerxes) (DS 15.76; Xen Hell 7.4.1)

365                  Civil Strife in Greece (DS 15.77)

                        Peace Proposals taken to the Persian King (Plutarch Pelopidas 30)

364                  Thebes aids Thesally; Death of Pelopidas of Thebes against Alexander of Pherae

                              (Plut Pelopidas 32: anger was the cause)

363-2               4^th Boiotian invasion of Peloponnesus under Epameinondas

Coalitions = Tegea and Boiotia versus Mantineia, Sparta and Athens (DS 15.82-87; Xen Hell 7.5)

Battle of Mantineia; Epameinondas killed in a Theban victory

This page updated: Oct 10, 2007