[52] Cleombrotus' only tactical innovation was the placing of his cavalry in front of his troops. He summarized his opinion of Callisthenes' account with "Sie ist panegyrisch gehalten, aber sachlich nicht unrichtig. The Sacred Band (Sacred Band Series Book 8) - Kindle edition by Morris, Janet, Morris, Chris. The Sacred Band of Thebes lives on, a world away, in this mythic novel of love in war in ancient times. [23] In 375 BC, the command of the band was transferred to the younger boeotarch Pelopidas, one of the original Theban exiles who had led the forces who recaptured Cadmea. They stripped the dead and set up a tropaion (τρόπαιον, a commemorative trophy left at the site of a battle victory) before continuing on to Thebes. The historian Louis Crompton presumes that Gorgidas died in a skirmish in 378 BC. A year later Philip divorced Olympias, and, after a quarrel at a feast held to celebrate his father’s new marriage, Alexander and his mother fled to Epirus, and Alexander later went… Shop Now . At stake was freedom, democracy, and the fate of Thebes, at this time the leading power of the Greek world. The story of the Sacred Band, an elite 300-man corps recruited from pairs of lovers, highlights a chaotic era of ancient Greek history, four decades marked by battles, ideological disputes, and the rise of vicious strongmen. Ads by TrafficStars Remove Ads. Some of these numbers may have been exaggerated due to the overall significance of the battle. The story of the Sacred Band, an elite 300-man corps recruited from pairs of lovers, highlights a chaotic era of ancient Greek history, four decades marked by battles, ideological disputes, and the rise of vicious strongmen. [62] The skeletons of 254 men laid out in seven rows were found buried within it. [48][51] Cleombrotus positioned himself and the spartiate hoplites (including the elite royal guard of 300 Hippeis) in the Spartan right wing, the traditional position of honor in Greek armies. 33–34. [16] A tumulus near the monument was also tentatively identified as the site of the Macedonian polyandrion where the Macedonian dead were cremated. For what lover would not choose rather to be seen by all mankind than by his beloved, either when abandoning his post or throwing away his arms? [42][note 8] They succeeded in fixing the Spartans in place until the rest of the Theban heavy infantry finally smashed into the Spartan right wing. Acting under his own initiative, Pelopidas quickly led the Sacred Band ahead of the Theban left wing to intercept the Spartan maneuver before it could be completed. Plutarch records that Philip II, on encountering the corpses "heaped one upon another", understanding who they were, wept and exclaimed. This page was last edited on 10 March 2021, at 00:34. Seeing the Spartiates fleeing in disarray, the Perioeci phalanxes also broke ranks and retreated. Regular price €89. It is the last time that citizens troops are known to have deployed abroad. [24], It was during this time that Chabrias gave his most famous command. With over 200+ branch locations throughout the country, we pride ourselves in providing unmatchable security solutions to meet the varied needs of thousands of organizations. Their defeat at the battle was a significant victory for Philip, since until then, the Sacred Band was regarded as invincible throughout all of Ancient Greece. [55], After the defeat of Cleombrotus' forces in the Battle of Leuctra, a tropaion was set up on the battlefield by the Thebans to commemorate their victory. (Chrissanthos, 2008; Gabriel, 2001) Others believe that this action was pre-planned (perhaps even rehearsed) and independently performed as part of the Sacred Band's role in the battle. [14], According to Plutarch, the 300 hand-picked men were chosen by Gorgidas purely for ability and merit, regardless of social class. [12][28] Seeing that his attempts to provoke the Theban and Athenian forces to fight on lower ground were unsuccessful, Agesilaus eventually thought it wiser to withdraw his forces back to Thespiae. Among them are Ephorus and Callisthenes who were contemporaries of the Theban hegemony and the Sacred Band. Works by authors like Anaximenes of Lampsacus, Aristoxenus, Callisthenes, Daimachus, Dinarchus, and Ephorus are believed to have been written between 330 and 310 BC. [6][19] Their regular training included wrestling and dance. Both Plato and Xenophon were Athenians. It occurred near the Boeotian city of Orchomenus, then still an ally of Sparta. [47] The furthest right wing of the Theban phalanx was even retreating to make this possible. [18] Prior to the creation of the Sacred Band under Gorgidas, the Athenians had helped the Theban exiles retake control of Thebes and the citadel of Cadmea from Sparta. [52] Some military historians believe Epaminondas placed Pelopidas and the Sacred Band behind the main hoplite phalanx,[51] others believe he put it in front of the main hoplite phalanx and behind the cavalry,[52] while others put it on the front left corner of the main hoplite phalanx (the most likely). At the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC, these 300 gay warriors led the Theban army against the Spartan army. He argues that it is highly improbable that the Thebans would be able to commemorate their dead within Philip's lifetime with such a massive and obviously expensive monument. [64][65][66], Offers in the late 19th century by the British archeologist Cecil Harcourt Smith to fund the restoration of Lion of Chaeronea were initially refused by the Greeks. This is a style of warmaking that has proved its worth over the centuries. The sacred band Item Preview remove-circle Share or Embed This Item. The Sacred Band was highly atypical since Carthaginian citizens generally only served as officers or cavalry; the bulk of Carthaginian armies was usually made up of foreign mercenaries, infantry from allied communities (who might be Punic colonists), and levies from client states. [6][11] Historian John Kinloch Anderson believes that the Sacred Band was indeed present in Delium, and that Gorgidas did not establish it, but merely reformed it. In the second century AD, Plutarch writes of the same events, but makes no explicit mention of the Sacred Band. He then ordered his cavalry to ride up from the rear and charge while he reformed the Sacred Band into an abnormally dense formation, hoping to at least cut through the numerically superior Spartan lines. [7] Agathocles stationed himself on the Greek wing opposing Hanno, along with 1,000 hoplite bodyguards. [50][note 6] They were arrayed traditionally, in which the hoplites were formed into phalanxes about eight to twelve men deep. Given these often negative attitudes, it is intriguing to note that in ancient times, one Greek city state actually recruited a regiment of male lovers, the so-called Sacred Band of Thebes. The Protector Gold - Freedom Collection. Xenophon's Socrates in his Symposium disapprovingly mentions the practice of placing lovers beside each other in battle in the city-states of Thebes and Elis, arguing that while the practice was acceptable to them, it was shameful for Athenians. [6] However this broke down soon after in 374 BC, when Athens and Sparta resumed hostilities over Korkyra (modern Corfu). His later work Archidamus mention Leuctra briefly, and only to criticize Thebans as being incompetent and incapable of capitalizing on their rise to power. 1. Demosthenes records this sentiment very clearly in a disclaimer in his speech On the Navy (354 BC): "It is difficult to speak to you about [Thebans], because you have such a hearty dislike of them that you would not care to hear any good of them, even if it were true. [58] The Greek historian Strabo (c. 64 BC–24 AD) also mentions "tombs of those who fell in the battle" erected at public expense in Chaeronea. Diodorus writes that the Sacred Band fought valiantly, even after Hanno was killed and the rest of the army withdrew to Carthage.[9]. The historian James G. DeVoto points out that Gorgidas previously served as a hipparch (cavalry officer), therefore equestrian training was also likely provided. [8] This may indicate that the Greeks were aware of the Sacred Band and its reputation, perhaps recognizing the unit's superior armor or distinctive white color. At stake was freedom, democracy, and the fate … In love united - invincible. It is likely, therefore, that this band was called sacred on this account.” Beginnings https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sacred_Band_of_Carthage&oldid=1011277441, Military units and formations of antiquity, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 85 talking about this. Excavation of the tumulus between 1902 and 1903 by the archeologist Georgios Soteriades confirmed this. After a series of skirmishes which he won with some difficulty, he was forced again to withdraw when the Theban army came out full force as he approached the city. The Sacred Band of Thebes lives on, a world away, in this mythic novel of love in war in ancient times. Stylianou believes that only one Spartan, Other historians believe that Cleombrotus was already in Phocis during this period, having been sent earlier in 375 BC to reinforce it during the early Theban attacks. You could absolutely tell that his heart was in the topic and it shone through in every character. [5] Among the casualties of the battle, he notes that "three thousand were those of Carthaginians, a great affliction for the city. [49] The original position of the Sacred Band being led by Pelopidas is unknown. Or who would desert his beloved or fail him in the hour of danger? Magnetically-empowered college student Rusty Adamson may have been a child during the glorious age of superheroics, but he vividly remembers the deeds of his idol, Sentinel. It was during the famous stand-off between the Athenian mercenary commander (and later strategos) Chabrias (d. 357 BC) and the Spartan King Agesilaus II (444 BC–360 BC). It is unknown how they identified themselves or whether they were considered a distinct formation. The Door Silver - Freedom Collection . Two thousand citizen troops from Carthage are recorded as being in Sicily in 311 BC, during another conflict with the Greeks. For instance, the Athenian Isocrates (436–338 BC) in his Plataicus (which details the destruction of Plataea by the Thebans), makes no mention of the Theban victory in Leuctra, and harshly reviles Thebes throughout. Taking into account that it's the beginning of a trilogy and there are only minor editing issues, I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. It is unknown how they identified themselves or whether they were considered a distinct formation. In addition to Pausanias and Strabo, Justin also clearly says that Philip forced the Thebans to pay for the privilege of burying (not cremating) their dead. [26] In unison, his mercenary hoplites immediately assumed the resting posture—with the spear remaining pointing upwards instead of towards the enemy, and the shield propped against the left knee instead of being hoisted at the shoulders. The three volumes in James MacTavish’s The Sacred Band Trinity bring together a compelling cocktail of history, myth, legend and literature. WithFetishes22 Subscribe 4.4K Chat with x Hamster Live girls now! It consisted of 2,000-3,000 heavy infantry drawn from the wealthiest families of Carthage; Plutarch describes its members as "inferior to none among them as to birth, wealth, or reputation" and distinguished by "the splendour of their arms, and the slowness and order of their march". The Sacred Band is the elite infantry of any Carthaginian army and can be relied upon to do their duty to the end. Phoebidas, hoping for a rout, rashly pursued them closely. Romm traces the origins and reasons behind the formation of the Theban sacred band; in broad terms, Thebes needed a mighty army to defend the state against constantly fluctuating allegiances. Sacred Band does this for the LGBT+ community in a heartfelt way that leaves you wanting more. In 338 BCE, during the Battle of Chaeronea that results in the massacre of the Sacred Band of Thebes, the legendary Tempus and his Stepson cavalry rescue twenty-three pairs of Theban Sacred Banders, paired lovers and friends, to fight on other days. [45] Pelopidas is again mentioned as the commander of the abortive Theban siege of the Phocian city of Elateia (c. 372 BC). Philip, after all, was known for his ability to inflict unnecessary cruelty when it served a greater purpose. Regular price €79. Modern historians, mainly concerned with the achievements of Athens and Sparta, have paid little attention to their story, but it is a remarkable one, told in some detail by Plutarch. [4][5] He records that the Sacred Band was originally formed by the boeotarch Gorgidas, shortly after the expulsion of the Spartan garrison occupying the Theban citadel of Cadmea. Sacred Reich ist eine US-amerikanische Thrash-Metal-Band aus Phoenix, Arizona, die im Jahr 1985 gegründet wurde, sich im Jahr 2000 auflöste und seit dem Jahr 2007 wieder Konzerte abhält. Geschichte. The Sacred Band of Carthage is the name used by ancient Greek historians to refer to an elite infantry unit of Carthaginian citizens that served in military campaigns during the fourth century BC. In 338 BCE, during the Battle of Chaeronea that results in the massacre of the Sacred Band of Thebes, the legendary Tempus and his Stepson cavalry rescue twenty-three pairs of Theban Sacred Banders, paired lovers and friends, to fight on other days. Although Carthaginian citizen infantry appear in historical sources during later wars, their numbers are significantly higher, implying an emergence levy of all available citizens, rather than an elite force. [22] They likely ended their service at age 30. [25] Gorgidas disappears from history between 377 and 375, during which the command of the Sacred Band was apparently transferred to Pelopidas. Featured products. The earliest known mention of this unit is in the first century AD by Diodorus Siculus, in his account of the Battle of the Crimissus in Sicily in 341 BC. Sacred Band. He describes the Carthaginians being ambushed by Greek forces while crossing the river Crimissus, and the prolonged engagement that followed during torrential rain. [56][57], Pausanias in his Description of Greece mentions that the Thebans had erected a gigantic statue of a lion near the village of Chaeronea, surmounting the polyandrion (πολυάνδριον, common tomb) of the Thebans killed in battle against Philip. [49] However, only about 700 hoplites of the Spartan army were composed of spartiates (Spartan citizens), the rest were conscripted troops from Spartan subject states (the perioeci) forced to fight. [18] Other historians however argue that Alexander actually commanded hoplites armed with sarissas (pikes), rather than cavalry, especially since Plutarch also mentions that the Sacred Band fell to "lances of the Macedonian phalanx". Sacred Band Security, is one of the United States most trusted security company which is owned, operated, and managed by retired police and military veterans. Discover Sacred Band. It is likely, therefore, that this band was called sacred on this account.” Beginnings. [45][note 5], Epaminondas' refusal to accept the terms of the peace conference of 371 BC excluded Thebes from the peace treaty and provided Sparta with the excuse to declare war. [7] The origin of the "sacred" appellation of the Sacred Band is unexplained by Dinarchus and other historians. Other articles where Sacred Band is discussed: Alexander the Great: Life: …personal courage in breaking the Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite military corps composed of 150 pairs of lovers. [18] While Athens and Sparta were busy fighting each other, Thebes resumed her campaigns against the autonomous pro-Spartan Boeotian poleis. He also tangentially mentions Plato's characterization of the lover as a "friend inspired of God". was recorded by Kevin Arndt at the Exchange Recording Complex in Milwaukee and mastered by the legendary Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York. Cleombrotus then moved inland, following the eastward road towards Thebes, until he reached the Boeotian village of Leuctra (modern Lefktra, Plataies) near the southwestern end of the Theban plain. At the center of the mound, about 22 ft (6.7 m) deep, was a layer of ashes, charred logs, and bones about 0.75 m (2.5 ft) thick. Formed in 1985, Sacred Reich were an integral part of the 80s and 90s thrash movement, ... Our drummer Dave (McClain, ex-Machine Head) was still on tour with his old band so our buddy Tim Radziwill played drums on the demos along with his son, Joey, and they recorded it all at their studio. Shortly before the Theban left wing made contact, the Spartans hastily stretched out their right wing in an attempt to outflank and engulf the rapidly approaching Thebans. It is said to have been organised by the Theban commander Gorgidas in 378 BC and to have played a crucial role in the Battle of Leuctra. [16][18], The Sacred Band first saw action in 378 BC, at the beginning of the Boeotian War. On the tree trunk itself is affixed the shields, weapons, and armor of the defeated Spartans. Chamber ensembles (flute choir, sax quartet, and brass ensemble) also give a concert at the end of each semester. Now back to these 300 gay warriors facing off against the most elite soldiers of the most fearsome military force in Ancient Greece, the Spartiates. Larger citizen forces turned out during the First Punic War (namely the Battle of Bagradas), the Mercenary War, and the Third Punic War, but the "Sacred Band" or any other elite unit is not mentioned in any surviving accounts of these wars. Remove Ads. [47] The tropaion was later replaced by a permanent monument, an unprecedented move by the Thebans as tropaia were designed to be ephemeral. Thespiae and Tanagra were subjugated and formally became part of the reestablished democratic Boeotian confederacy. Herodotus describes them as "the first and the finest" (πρῶτοι καὶ ἄριστοι) among Thebans. But Plutarch claims that it was due to an exchange of sacred vows between lover and beloved at the shrine of Iolaus (one of the lovers of Heracles) at Thebes. [37], By the time the Spartans realized that something unusual was happening it was already too late. They dismounted and dug at it with their riding-whips, ascertaining that it was indeed sculpture. 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