The Theban Friends

Despite the treaty promising freedom, Sparta kept the Messenians enslaved and policed other cities. During a festival, Spartans surprised Thebes without warning. The unarmed Thebans surrendered. Spartans exiled the rich and put 3,000 warriors in the citadel. Among the exiles was Pelopidas, who had once been saved in battle by Epaminondas, a poor philosopher descended from Cadmus's dragon-teeth warriors. Though Epaminondas was poor and quiet, and Pelopidas rich and noisy, they became inseparable friends. Pelopidas learned simplicity from Epaminondas and spent his money on the poor. When asked why he no longer cared for riches, he pointed to a cripple and said money is only for those who cannot help themselves.