Boeotia, Thebes, AR Stater

Boeotien, Theben, AR Stater (368 - 364 B.C.)

Obv.: Boeotian shield
Rev.: Volute crater with ivy vines on handles, between AP KA

Historical

Boiotia (Ancient Greek Βοιωτία Boiōtía, Latin Boeotia, hence in German usually Böotien) is the landscape in south-eastern central Greece named in antiquity after the cattle pastures (βοῦς būs 'cattle') there, where the Greek tribe of the Boioters (Βοιωτοί) settled.

In the late 6th century BC, a first federation of Boiot cities was founded, in which Thebes set the tone. However, there were internal disputes, mainly because of Thebes' striving for unlimited hegemony, which is why Plataiai, located near the border with Attica, did not join the alliance, but allied itself with Athens.

The Boioters supported Sparta in the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), but then fell out with the Spartans. Subsequently, together with Athens, Corinth and Argos, they fought Sparta in the Corinthian War (395-387 BC) without any result. This military conflict was ended by the royal peace of 387/386 BC, which meant the dissolution of the Boiotic League.

The city of Thebes

In ancient times, the Boeotian city of Thebes (today Thiva) was the largest city in the Greek region of Boeotia.
It is located on the foothills of the Teumessos, was already called the "city of the seven gates" (Thebe Heptapylos) by Homer and was the most important place of the Boeotian League in Greek antiquity.