Leuctra 371 BC: The destruction of Spartan dominance (Campaign)

**This detailed new study explores the battle of Leuctra and the tactics that ultimately led to the complete defeat of Sparta, and freed Greece from domination by Sparta in a single afternoon.** The battle of Leuctra, fought in early July in 371 BC was one of the most important battles ever to be fought in the ancient world. Not only did it see the destruction of the Spartan dominance of Greece, it also introduced several tactical innovations which are still studied and emulated to this day. Sparta's hegemony of Greece (which had been in effect since the Persian wars of 480-79 and especially since the Peloponnesian War in 431–404 BC) was wiped away in a single day of destruction. Sparta would never recover from the losses in manpower which were suffered at Leuctra. Sparta's defeat created a power vacuum in Greece which several states attempted to fill (the Theban Hegemony and the resurgence of Athens) and gave rise to the dominance of Macedon in the 350s when Macedon would conquer Greece in 338 BC at the battle of Chaeronea. None of this would have been possible without the events at Leuctra. The Theban phalanx at Leuctra, with its great depth of 50 ranks, introduced new tactical thinking in Greek warfare and this thinking eventually led to the Macedonian phalanx of Philip and Alexander which conquered Greece and the Persian Empire less than 40 years later. The Theban commander at Leuctra, Epaminondas, also introduced the idea of drawing up his forces in echelon and fighting with a refused flank – something Alexander emulated in all of his major battles and which has been attempted at countless battles since. The importance of the battle of Leuctra cannot be underestimated. This superbly illustrated title gives the reader a detailed understanding of this epic clash of forces, what led to it, its commanders, sources, and the consequences it had for future civilizations. "Leuctra was one of the most important and decisive battles fought in the ancient world. Not only did it witness the destruction of the Spartan dominance of Greece, it also introduced several tactical innovations still closely studied to this day. The Spartan hegemony (strengthened since her victory in the Second Peloponnesian War of 431-404 BC) was wiped out in a single afternoon, and Sparta would never recover from the losses in manpower suffered during the battle. The resultant power vacuum led to the Theban Hegemony (371-362 BC) and, eventually, to the dominance of Macedon from 338 BC (the Battle of Chaeronea) onwards. In this study, author Murray Dahm explores the rich source material available for this pivotal battle, highlighting key differences between the accounts of Xenophon, Plutarch, Pausanias, Diodorus, and other sources, whilst discussing the composition of forces and tactical choices made by the opposing sides. Featuring superb illustrations that bring this epic battle to life, this work also covers the preceding Battle of Tegyra in 375 BC, the first clash in which the idea of Spartan military superiority was fundamentally challenged by the Thebans."--Back cover Cover Contents Origins of the Campaign The Stain Chronology The Battle of Tegyra 375 BC The Lesson of Tegyra From Tegyra to Leuctra, 375–371 BC The Battle of Leuctra 371 BC Opposing Commanders Opposing Forces Opposing Plans Sources Reporting and Interpreting the Omens The Battle In Brief Diodorus Plutarch Pausanias Xenophon A Summary of the Sources Aftermath Casualties The Shockwaves of Defeat The Battlefields Today Tegyra Leuctra Bibliography Index Imprint