Editing Pelopidas (section)

===Thessalian campaign and death===
[[File:Pelopidas leading the Thebans at the battle of Leuctra.jpg|thumb|upright|Pelopidas leading the Thebans at the [[Battle of Leuctra]].]]
The 360s saw Pelopidas leading a military/diplomatic advance by Theban power into Central and Northern Greece.<ref name="J Griffin 1986 p. 149"/> In 369 BC, in response to a petition of the [[Ancient Thessaly|Thessalians]], Pelopidas was sent with an army against [[Alexander of Pherae]]. After driving Alexander out, he passed into [[Macedon]] and arbitrated between two claimants to the throne. In order to secure the influence of Thebes in Macedon, he brought home hostages, including the king's younger brother [[Philip II of Macedon|Philip]], a young man who would one day become king himself. In Thebes, Philip learned about the military tactics and politics of the Greeks.<ref>Murray, Stephen O. Homosexualities. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, P. 42</ref>

The next year, Pelopidas was again called upon to interfere in Macedonia, but being deserted by his mercenaries, was compelled to make an agreement with [[Ptolemy of Aloros]]. On his return through Thessaly, he was seized by Alexander of Pherae, and two expeditions (the second expedition, the successful one, was led by his friend Epaminondas<ref>Plutarch, ''Pelopidas'', 27, 29</ref>) from Thebes were needed to secure his release.<ref>T Duff ed., ''Plutarch: The Age of Alexander'' (Penguin 2011) p. 723</ref>

In 364 BC, he received another appeal from the Thessalian towns against Alexander of Pherae. Although an eclipse of the sun prevented his bringing with him more than a handful of troops, he overthrew the tyrant's far superior force on the ridge of [[Battle of Cynoscephalae (364 BC)|Cynoscephalae]]. However, wishing to slay Alexander with his own hand, he rushed forward too eagerly and was cut down by the tyrant's guards.<ref>T Duff ed., ''Plutarch: The Age of Alexander'' (Penguin 2011) p. 78-9</ref> Plutarch considered him a prime example of a leader who threw away his life through recklessness and anger.<ref>T Duff ed., ''Plutarch: The Age of Alexander'' (Penguin 2011) p. 48</ref>