Editing Battle of Leuctra (section)

==Prelude==
{{Main|Boeotian War}}{{See also|Leuctrides}}
In 371 BC, the newly established democracy of Thebes had elected four [[Boeotarch]]s, the traditional title of the generals of the [[Boeotia|Boeotian League]], and so proclaimed their intention of reconstituting the aforementioned league that Sparta had disbanded.<ref name="tritle80">Tritle 1987, p. 80</ref>  During this period, Thebes had an ally in [[Athens]], but Athens was far from happy with the treatment [[Plataea]] had received.<ref name="tritle80"/>{{huh|date=January 2024}}  When it came to swearing an oath to respect the treaty, Sparta swore on behalf of itself and its allies. When [[Epaminondas]] came forward, asking to swear on behalf of the whole Boeotian League, the Spartans refused, saying he could swear as the representative of Thebes or not at all. This Epaminondas refused.<ref>''History of Greece'', G. Grote vol. 9 pp. 155–156</ref>  (According to Xenophon, the Thebans signed as "the Thebans", and asked the next day to change their signature to "the Boeotians", but one of the Spartan kings, [[Agesilaus II]], would not allow it.)<ref name="xenophonvi.3.19">Xenophon, ''Hellenica'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Xen.+Hell.+6.3.19&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0206 VI 3.19] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929184015/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text%3Fdoc%3DXen.%2BHell.%2B6.3.19%26fromdoc%3DPerseus:text:1999.01.0206 |date=2019-09-29 }}</ref> In this, Sparta saw an opportunity to reassert its shaky authority in central Greece.<ref name="tritle81">Tritle 1987, p. 81</ref>  Hence, the other Spartan king, [[Cleombrotus I]], marched to war from [[Phocis (ancient region)|Phocis]].
[[File:March of the Spartan army across the mountains.jpg|thumb|left|March of the Spartan army across the mountains]]
{{Campaignbox Greek wars of the 4th century BC}}
Rather than take the expected easier route into Boeotia through the face [[defile (geography)|defile]], the Spartans marched over the hills via [[Thisbae]] and took the fortress of [[Creusis]] (along with twelve Theban [[Trireme|warships]]) before the Thebans were aware of their presence, and then proceeded to Leuctra where they were confronted by the Boeotian army. Initially, the six [[Boeotarch|Boeotian generals]] present were equally divided as to whether to offer battle, with [[Epaminondas]] being the main advocate in favor of battle. Only when a seventh arrived and sided with Epaminondas was the decision made.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+9.13 |author=[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] |title=Description of Greece |page=9.13.6–7 |access-date=2024-01-22}}</ref> In spite of inferior numbers and the doubtful loyalty of their allies, the Boeotians would offer battle on the plain before the town.<ref name=EB1911/>