Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Thebes

Welcome to our curated reading list for those eager to explore the storied city-state of Thebes, a pivotal player in ancient Greek history and mythology!

Dive into the rich tapestry of Theban culture, politics, and military exploits with our selection of authoritative works by renowned scholars and historians. Uncover the tumultuous events of Theban history, from its rise to prominence as a major power in ancient Greece to its eventual decline and resurgence under visionary leaders like Epaminondas. Explore the legendary myths and heroic tales associated with Thebes, including the epic saga of Oedipus and the legendary feats of Heracles. Delve into the intricate political dynamics of Theban society, from its shifting alliances with other Greek city-states to its fierce rivalry with Athens and Sparta. Whether you’re interested in the military campaigns of the renowned Sacred Band or the philosophical teachings of prominent Theban thinkers, our reading list offers a comprehensive overview of this fascinating city-state. Join us on a journey through the annals of Theban history and discover the enduring legacy of one of ancient Greece’s most iconic cities.

General

  • Buck, R.J., Boiotia and the Boiotian League, 432-371 B.C., Edmonton, 1994.
  • Buckler, J., The Theban hegemony 371-362 B.C., Cambridge MA, 1980.
  • Cartledge, P., Thebes: the Forgotten City of Ancient Greece, New York, 2020.
  • Rockwell, N., Thebes: a History, Abingdon, 2017.

Further Reading

  • Berman, D.W., Myth, Literature, and the Creation of the Topography of Thebes, Cambridge, 2015.
  • Cartledge, P., ‘The Boiotian superstate 395 BC’ in Polis & politics: studies in ancient Greek history : presented to Mogens Herman Hansen on his sixtieth birthday, August 20, 2000, Copenhagen, 2000, 397-418.
  • Hack, H.M., ‘Thebes and the Spartan Hegemony, 386-382 B.C.’ in The American Journal of Philology 99.2, 1987, 210-227.
  • Larsen, J.A.O., Greek federal states: their institutions and history, Oxford, 1968, 12-26.
  • Roy, J., ‘Thebes in the 360s B.C.’ in The Cambridge ancient history: Vol.6: The fourth century B.C., Cambridge, 1994, 187-208.