The battle of Tehira (the battle of Tehir ) (375 BC) is a military clash between Theban and Spartan forces during the Boeotian war .
| Battle of Tehira | |||
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| Main Conflict: Boeotian War | |||
 Battles of Ancient Greece | |||
| date | 375 BC e. | ||
| A place | Tehira | ||
| Total | Thebans victory | ||
| Opponents | |||
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| Commanders | |||
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| Forces of the parties | |||
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Content
Events Prior to the Battle
In 375 BC e. The Theban forces launched military operations against the Boeotian cities under the rule of Sparta in order to expel the Spartans from Boeotia and revive the Boeotian Union . The Theban commander Pelopidus , learning that the Spartan garrison of the Boeotian Orkhomen set out on a campaign against Lokrid , together with the Holy detachment and a small detachment of cavalry, hurried to Orkhomen, hoping to capture him. Approaching Orkhomen, the Thebans found that a new significant Spartan army was approaching the city to strengthen the garrison. Forced to retreat under the protection of Tegir , Pelopidus in the gorge encountered the first Spartan squad returning from Lokrid.
Battle Progress
The Theban forces (300 infantry plus cavalry) were significantly inferior to the Spartan forces, which amounted to 2 mors (according to various estimates, from 1000 to 1800 people). When the sentinels discovered the Spartan army ahead, someone ran to Pelopidas and shouted: "We stumbled upon the enemy!" Pelopidas answered “What are you, rather the enemy is on us!”, Ordered the cavalry to move forward and attack the enemy, and the infantry - to tighten their ranks more tightly and strike next.
The first blow of the denser and more compact system of the Thebans was aimed at the Spartan commanders, and when both polemars Theopomp and Gorgoleon fell in battle, the Spartans parted in confusion before the Thebans, letting them pass. However, the Thebans continued to press and destroy the enemy.
Pelopidas did not pursue the enemy far, fearing both the prosartan-minded inhabitants of Orkhomen and the fresh Spartan detachment. Raising the trophy and removing the armor from the fallen enemies, the Thebans returned home.
Consequences of the battle
The battle of Tehir was a small episode of the Boeotian war, but it had important consequences. Never before have Spartans in wars with Greeks or barbarians been defeated by an inferior enemy. This battle was like a prelude to the battle of the Levctra .
Sources
- Plutarch . Comparative Biographies : Pelopidus
- Diodorus of Sicily . Historical library