Epaminondas (or Epameinondas, c. 420 - 362 BCE) was a Theban general who famously defeated Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE. The daring and brilliant pre-meditated tactics of Epaminondas earned a decisive victory over Sparta and established Thebes as the most powerful city-state in Greece. Epaminondas once again employed innovative tactics in his final battle at Mantinea in 362 BCE, effectively using mixed troops to bring a victory he himself did not live to enjoy. Shortly after the fall of their great general, so too, fell the Theban empire.
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Definition
Timeline
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c. 420 BCE - 362 BCELife of Theban general Epaminondas.
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386 BCETheban general Epaminondas saves the life of Pelopidas at Mantinea.
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371 BCE - 362 BCEThebes is the dominant city-state in Greece.
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371 BCEThebes, led by Epaminondas, defeats Sparta in the Battle of Leuctra.
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369 BCETheban general Epaminondas is tried for treason but the charges are dropped.
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369 BCETheban generals Pelopidas and Epaminondas are both charged with exceeding their term of office but are acquitted.
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367 BCETheban general Epaminondas rescues fellow general Pelopidas from Alexander of Pherai in Thessaly.
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366 BCETheban general Epaminondas builds a fleet to harass the Athenian Empire.
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362 BCEIndecisive Battle of Matinea where Thebes fought against Sparta and Athens. Theban general Epaminondas is killed.
