Thebes Free Once More

Epaminondas was allowed to stay in Thebes—the Spartans thought him harmless. Pelopidas missed his friend and plotted with twelve exiles to free Thebes. They entered disguised as hunters, then changed to women's robes to enter the Spartans' banquet as dancing girls. When friend Charon was summoned by the commander, they feared betrayal. Charon placed his infant son in Pelopidas's arms: "If I have betrayed you, kill my child." He returned—all was well. The "dancing girls" killed the drunken officers. Rushing out with torches, they slew every Spartan they met. The 3,000 soldiers, leaderless and frightened, fled. Twelve men had routed an army. Angry Spartans sent Cleombrotus to retake the city.