# Pelopidas

> Ancient Theban general

**Wikidata**: [Q316059](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316059)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelopidas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pelopidas

## Summary
Pelopidas was an Ancient Theban general and politician who played a pivotal role in leading Thebes to challenge Spartan dominance in ancient Greece. His military and political leadership significantly reshaped the power dynamics of the Greek city-states during the 4th century BCE.

## Biography
- **Born:** [date and place unknown; not provided in source material]
- **Nationality:** [Ancient Greek; inferred from Theban affiliation]
- **Education:** [unknown; not provided in source material]
- **Known for:** Military and political leadership in Ancient Thebes; challenging Spartan hegemony
- **Employer(s):** Theban state [primary affiliation]
- **Field(s):** Military personnel, Politics

## Contributions
- Served as a key general and political figure in Thebes, contributing directly to the city-state's military efforts and political administration during the period of Theban resurgence against Spartan control. No specific named battles, reforms, or authored works are detailed in the provided source material beyond his overarching role as a general and politician within Thebes.

## FAQs
- **Who was Pelopidas?** Pelopidas was an Ancient Theban general and politician known for his instrumental role in Theban military campaigns and political efforts to counter Spartan power in ancient Greece.
- **Where did Pelopidas work?** Pelopidas was primarily affiliated with the Theban state, serving in its military and government.
- **Why is Pelopidas significant?** He is significant for leading Thebes to a position of strength relative to Sparta, altering the balance of power in 4th-century BCE Greece.
- **What was Pelopidas's field?** His fields encompassed military service and political activity within the context of the Ancient Greek city-state system, specifically Thebes.

## Why They Matter
Pelopidas matters because his leadership as a general and politician was central to Thebes' ability to break Spartan hegemony, a defining event in ancient Greek history. His actions enabled the creation of the Theban-led Boeotian Confederacy and influenced the subsequent power struggles involving Sparta, Athens, and Macedon, shaping the geopolitical landscape before the rise of Alexander the Great. Theban ascendancy under figures like Pelopidas demonstrated that smaller city-states could effectively challenge traditional major powers through capable leadership and military organization.

## Notable For
- Distinct dual role as both a military general and a politician within Thebes.
- Key leadership position during the critical period of Theban resurgence against Spartan dominance.
- Affiliation with the ancient Greek city-state of Thebes.

### Historical Context
- Pelopidas operated within the framework of Ancient Greek city-states, notably Thebes, one of the major powers of Boeotia.
- His career unfolded during the 4th century BCE, a period characterized by the decline of Spartan power after the Peloponnesian War and the subsequent rise of Thebian influence.

### Role in Thebes
- Pelopidas functioned as a member of the military personnel [Thing] of Thebes, serving in its organized armed force.
- He concurrently held political roles, qualifying him as a politician [Thing] who sought and held positions within Theban government.
- His activities were intrinsically tied to the history of Thebes itself, an ancient Greek city-state known to have existed since at least 2000 BCE (inception: -2000-00-00T00:00:00Z).

### Significance in Ancient Greek Military and Politics
- Pelopidas is recognized as a significant figure in the transition of power from Sparta to Thebes during the early 4th century BCE.
- His contributions, as described solely by his identity as an Ancient Theban general, contributed to the military and political challenges faced by Sparta and the establishment of a new equilibrium among Greek states.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
4. Enciclopedia Treccani
5. Dizionario di Storia
6. FactGrid