Thebes and the Boeotian League

The Cadmeia

Central Greece is dominated by the large plain of Boeotia.  The Theban acropolis, the Cadmeia, was occupied during the Bronze Age and was an important Mycenaean site.  Egyptian records mention Thebes as one of four Danaan kingdoms.  The Danaans were one of the names Homer used to refer to the Greeks in the Iliad.

Ruins of the Cadmeia

Although stories about Mycenaean period Thebes are prominent in Greek mythology, actual historical details of this early time have not been preserved.  Archaeological investigation has shown that the Cadmeia was destroyed at the end of the Bronze Age, which corresponds to the time attributed to the Dorian invasions.  If the Dorians did sack Thebes, they did not remain there. In classical times the people of Thebes and Boeotia spoke the Aeolian Greek dialect, which may have developed from a local variety of Achaean Greek.

Formation of the Boeotian League

An aristocracy, the Spartoi, ruled Thebes for many years by maintaining tight control over land ownership.  Located approximately in the center of the Boeotian plain, Thebes was ideally situated to dominate Boeotia.  By the end of the 6^th century B.C. Thebes was the acknowledge leader of what has become known as the Boeotian League.

Boeotia

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Exactly how, and when, the Boeotian League came into existence is debated. The Boeotians came together to defeat Thessalian invaders at Ceressus, probably sometime in the latter part of the sixth century B. C.  This battle may have been the event which gave impetus to the development of the league.  The Thebans appear to have gained control of the league early on.  Theban dominance was resisted by some of the Boeotian communities.  Orchomenos was an early rival and Thespiae appears to have been a center of opposition to Theban control, especially in the 5^th century.

Conflict with Athens

Plataea was the Boeotian town most adamant in its opposition to Thebes.  It steadfastly refused to submit to the Theban controlled league, seeking an alliance with Athens to maintain its independence.  According to Herodotus the alliance with Athens was suggested by the Spartans to sow enmity between the Athenians and Thebans.  A war did breakout between the Athenians and Thebans near the end of the 6^th century, which was won by Athens.  The Athenians annexed the area around Oropus, which gave them direct access to the island of Euboea.  Plataean independence was secured but Theban-Athenian relations would remain hostile for a century.

Organization of the Boeotian League

The early organization of the Boeotian League underscores its origin as a military alliance.  It has been described as a hoplite oligarchy.  Only heavily armed infantrymen (hoplites) and cavalrymen were allowed to vote.  These were placed in 11 divisions, called Meroi, based on population size.  Each division elected its general, called a Boeotarch, 60 councillors and a number of judges (dicasts). Large cities like Thebes and Thespiae provided two divisions in the 5^th century.  Smaller towns might be grouped together to provide a single division.