Originally published on September 16, 2020 (Episode 177)
Introduction
In the history of ancient Greece, three cities dominated its politics, society, and culture. Of these, Athens and Sparta are now best known. But set in the plains of central Greece was the third apex of this “fateful triangle”: the city of Thebes.
Dismissed by both Spartans and Athenians as rustics, clods, and peasants—“Boeotian swine,” according to the Athenians—Thebes was nevertheless deeply consequential to the life of those two rival cities. Its myths and legends became the topics of some of the greatest Athenian drama. Its alliance with Sparta helped tip the balance of the Peloponnesian War in Sparta’s favor.
And in the period of Thebes’ greatest power, when it had turned against its old ally, Boeotian armies freed the helots of Sparta in successful campaigns of liberation—the like of which would not be seen again until Toussaint L’Ouverture raised up an army in Haiti, and Sherman made Georgia howl.
With me to discuss the city of Thebes is Paul Cartledge, author of Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece (Oxford University Press, 2020)
About the Guest
Paul Cartledge is A.G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow at Clare College, Cambridge, and Emeritus A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture at the University of Cambridge. He is the newly elected President of the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies, and an Honorary Citizen of modern Sparta. He is the author, editor, and co-editor of more than thirty books.
For Further Investigation
Paul Cartledge, Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece (Oxford University Press, 2020)
Plutarch, Life of Pelopidas
Listen & Discuss
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