Pelopidas

Family: Thebes · Role: chief captain of Boeotia · First appears: Pelopidas

Pelopidas, son of Hippoclus, descended from an honorable Theban family and became chief captain of Boeotia. He was an associate of Ismenias and Androclides, and a friend and constant companion of Epaminondas, with whom he shared public actions, expeditions, and government. He was also associated with Gorgidas, Melon, and Charon, while Melon, Damoclides, and Theopompus were his rivals in glory and courageous exploits. His wife was Thebe, daughter of Jason, and Charon offered his house for the exiles’ reception.

After Phoebidas seized the Cadmea at the festival of Ceres, Ismenias was murdered and Pelopidas, Pherenicus, Androclides, and others were proclaimed outlaws. Returning from exile, Pelopidas joined the revolt against Leontidas and Hypates: “At last Pelopidas prevailed, and having killed Leontidas,” he pursued and killed Hypates as well. Chosen chief captain of Boeotia, he worked with Melon and Charon to blockade and storm the Cadmea, forcing its Spartan garrison to surrender. With the Sacred Band associated with Gorgidas, he and Epaminondas defeated the Spartans under Cleombrotus at Leuctra, and they were “more truly and more justly styled colleagues in government and command.”

In Thessaly, Pelopidas took Larissa and sought to make Alexander of Pherae govern according to law, but Alexander of Pherae seized him and took control of Pharsalus when Pelopidas came unarmed. Pelopidas later fought him again at Cynoscephalae; seeing the tyrant directing his forces, he advanced ahead of his soldiers and was killed by the enemy’s missiles while attacking. His friends buried him after his death, while Artaxerxes had earlier shown him attention and honor; Meneclidas, meanwhile, opposed him and tried to turn Charon against him.