Pelopid

Pelopidus ( other Greek Πελοπίδας , Pelopidas) - Theban statesman and military leader, commander of the times of the Boeotian war (378-362 BC).

He came from a rich and respected family, received a good upbringing; early accustomed to deprivation, endurance and ease of life, being very indifferent to wealth. The friendship of Pelopidus with Epaminondas began with the Battle of Mantineus ( 385 BC ), in which Epaminondas saved his life. The impetuous and unbridled Pelopidus contrasted with the calm and restrained Epaminondas; but both were equally honest, steadfast in their aspirations and convictions, and patriotic: they both owed their short exaltation and hegemony .

Following the capture of Cadmea by the Spartans (383 BC), Pelopides, among the 400 Democrats, fled to Athens , where the fugitives found a warm welcome and protection. When one of them, Androklid, fell at the hands of a murderer sent by the Theban oligarchs, Pelopidas bowed his exile comrades to revenge and became the soul of a conspiracy. With the help of Phyllis, who remained at Thebes and some supporters of their party, the conspirators infiltrated Thebes, killed the tyrants and restored the freedom of the city (379 BC). Pelopidus was elected one of the Beotarchs and remained in this position almost unchanged. The Spartan garrison, despite desperate resistance, was forced to leave Cadmeus and leave the city. The campaigns of the Spartans (378–371 BC) did not return the lost. In 377 BC e. The Pelopidus defeated the Spartans under Tanagra , the following year under Tehira ; both victories were the result of courage and excellent military organization of the so-called “sacred detachment”, consisting of 300 hoplites and a small number of horsemen.

A decisive defeat was inflicted on the Spartans at Levktra (371 BC), after which the Thebans themselves began an offensive war and, with Epaminondas at the head, opened a series of victorious invasions of the Peloponnese . In 369 BC e. Pelopidas was sent with an army to help the Thessalians against the tyrant tyrant Alexander (see Alexander Fersky ). Having occupied Larisa and forcing out the Macedonian garrison from there, Pelopidus forced Alexander Fersky to give freedom to some Thessalian cities, after which he appeared in Macedonia as a mediator in a dispute over the throne between Alexander, the son of Amynta, and Ptolemy Alorite. Having decided the case in favor of Alexander, Pelopidus entered into an alliance with him and took 30 hostages from him to ensure peace; Among them was Philip , the future king of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great.

In 368 BC e. Thessalians again called Pelopidus against Alexander Fersky; this time he went to Thessaly as an ambassador, without troops. Upon learning that Ptolemy killed his rival Alexander and took possession of the throne, Pelopidus, at the head of a small detachment of Thessaly mercenaries, moved against Ptolemy, but, abandoned by the army, was forced to agree to the conditions of Ptolemy, who was declared regent instead of the brothers of the murdered king, and introduced Pelopidos to ensure peace 50 hostages. After sending the hostages to Thebes, Pelopides returned to Thessaly to take revenge on the Farsalians, from whom he recruited the hired army that had left him. Alexander Fersky appeared here. Inviting Pelopidus as if for negotiations, he ordered to seize him, but Pelopidus was released in time to help Epaminondas. In 368 BC e. Pelopidus was one of the ambassadors sent by the Thebans to the Persian king. The result of the negotiations was the recognition by the king of Theban hegemony and the elimination of the Lacedaemonians from an alliance with the Persians.

In 364 BC e. Pelopidas again went against Alexander Fersky at the invitation of the Thessalians constrained by the tyrant. At the Battle of Kinoschephal, the Thebans defeated, but at the cost of the death of Pelopides.