Thebes grew around the walled Kadmeia, an ancient acropolis and agora, named for the city's mythic founder Kadmos (to learn more about Kadmos, see Thebes of Myth). At the city's height, the Kadmeia housed a number of public buildings. The Boiotian Leaugue held its assemblies in the Kadmeia and the Boiotarch generals led Boiotia's affairs from here.

Below is a map of Thebes as the city would have appeared shortly before its destruction in 335 BCE. The fictional districts of the Pindon, the Epaminondai, and the Heraklia are clickable and link to the respective neighborhoods. Each is themed according to its namesake, and those wishing to purchase property in Thebes may do so in the district of their own choosing.

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Settled among highly fertile land, Thebes prospered easily and early, achieving a respectable prominence by the Mycenaean period. The city is alleged to have been among the first fortified cities in Hellas, and was listed as one of four noteworthy Hellenic cities by Egypt's New Kingdom. Militarilly robust and located centrally in the region, Thebes believed itself to be the natural protector of all Boiotia, a policy which heavily influenced Theban history. Boasting significant influence and impressive fortifications, the city was a ripe target for the Dorian invasions at the conclusion of the Mycenaean period.

Thebes and Athens first began their ongoing hostilities upon the defection of Plataea, an important Boiotian town, to Athens in the 500s BCE. Hatred for Athens was likely played part in Thebes's decision to support the invasion by King Xerxes I of Perisa of Hellas from 480 to 479, after the city participated in the Hellenic defeat at the Battle of Thermopylae. Thebes fought beside the Persians at the Battle of Plataea in 479, in which the Hellenic city-states halted the invaders. As punishment, Thebes was temporarily removed from the presidency of the Boiotian League. When Sparta decided a counterbalance was needed against Athens, it reinstated Thebes's authority. Athens responded by invading and defeating Thebes, usurping Boiotian politics from 457 until 447, when the Athenians were forced out.

Thebes returned with a vengence during the Peloponnesian War, allying with Sparta against Athens and the Athenian sympathizers in Boiotia. A second Athenian invasion was repulsed with the Battle of Delion in 424 BCE, during which Theban general Pagondas displayed what is regarded as the first appearance of military tactics in history. With the conclusion of the Peloponnesian conflict, Thebes initially demanded the destruction of defeated Athens, but in 403 began to stealthly support a restoration of the city-state to counteract the mounting power of Sparta.

The Corinthian War between 395 and 387 BCE was caused directly by a clash between Thebes and Sparta, but Thebes was promptly joined by Athens, Corinth, and Argos. To instigate the war, Thebes directed a conflict between the neighboring regions of Lokris and Phokis. As an ally of the Lokrians, Thebes intervened on their behalf while Sparta aided their Phokic allies. The two city-states' armies met at the Battle of Haliartus in Boiotia in 395, at which the Thebans halted the advancing Spartans. A year later the Thebans and their allies were defeated on Boiotian soil at the Battle of Coronea. The war ended upon the intervention of Persia, and Sparta's hegemon status would remain intact.

Thebes was severely reprimanded by Sparta for the Corinthian War, with its influence over Boiotia again suppressed, and a Spartan garrison stationed in the Kadmeia, the city's acropolis and agora. Led by generals Epaminondas and Pelopidas, Thebes succeeded in driving the Spartans from the city and reestablishing its control over Boiotia. In the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE, Epaminondas utilized innovative tactics (in actuality, no more than a practical response by the general to the circumstances before him) to defeat a larger Spartan force. Thebes immediately rose from victory to become the preeminent city-state of Hellas, and proceeded to engage the united forces of Sparta and Athens in 362 at the Battle of Mantinea on the Peloponnesos. Though Thebes was victorious, Epaminondas died from wounds sustained in combat.

Without its general's guidance, Thebes fell into decline. A war with Phokis from 356 to 346 BCE forced the city to request assistance from King Philip II of Macedon. The decision was regrettable. With the Macedonian armies at the Boiotian borders, Thebes joined Athens for a final defense against a grave invasion threat to the Hellenic city-states. The two armies were defeated at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 and Macedonian supremacy was ensured. A 335 revolt by Thebes against Alexander the Great prompted the Macedonian king to raze the city to the ground.

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Perhaps no other city, except Troy, is equal to the frequency of Thebes in Hellenic myth. Numerous tales of the city have been well-perserved, largely because the legends had a huge influence on the arts of the Classical period. As a result, rich details of Thebes's past remain entact. The following are among the most notable of the Theban legends.

Kadmos and the Dragon	Learn about the hero Kadmos and his role in the city's founding myth.	View
City of the Seven Gates	Twins Amphion and Zethos avenge their mother's honor and, in turn, conquer Thebes.	View
Oidipos, son of Laios	The infamous tale of a cursed man and his fateful son.	View

If you are interested in learning more about the city's legend, or have myths to add, check out Theban Myths.

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Sources:	Credits:
Wikipedia: Battle of Delium Battle of Leuctra Cadmeia Corinthian War Thebes Plato & his Dialogues: Thebes	Column ruin, edited Source