Description
Book Synopsis: From classicist James Romm comes a “striking… fascinating” (Booklist) deep dive into the last decades of ancient Greek freedom leading up to Alexander the Great’s destruction of Thebes—and the saga of the greatest military corps of the time, the Theban Sacred Band, a unit composed of 150 pairs of male lovers.
The story of the Sacred Band, an elite 300-man corps recruited from pairs of lovers, highlights a chaotic era of ancient Greek history, four decades marked by battles, ideological disputes, and the rise of vicious strongmen. At stake was freedom, democracy, and the fate of Thebes, at this time the leading power of the Greek world.
The tale begins in 379 BC, with a group of Theban patriots sneaking into occupied Thebes. Disguised in women’s clothing, they cut down the agents of Sparta, the state that had cowed much of Greece with its military might. To counter the Spartans, this group of patriots would form the Sacred Band, a corps whose history plays out against a backdrop of Theban democracy, of desperate power struggles between leading city-states, and the new prominence of eros, sexual love, in Greek public life.
After four decades without a defeat, the Sacred Band was annihilated by the forces of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander in the Battle of Chaeronea—extinguishing Greek liberty for two thousand years. Buried on the battlefield where they fell, they were rediscovered in 1880—some skeletons still in pairs, with arms linked together.
From violent combat in city streets to massive clashes on open ground, from ruthless tyrants to bold women who held their era in thrall, The Sacred Band recounts “in fluent, accessible prose” (The Wall Street Journal) the twists and turns of a crucial historical moment: the end of the treasured freedom of ancient Greece.
Details
Discover the untold story of Thebes and the extraordinary warriors who fought to save Greek freedom in The Sacred Band. Delve into the world of ancient Greece alongside James Romm, a renowned classicist, as he unravels the captivating tale of the Theban Sacred Band. Comprised of 150 pairs of male lovers, this elite 300-man corps was at the forefront of battles, ideological disputes, and the rise of powerful leaders.
Immerse yourself in the chaotic era of ancient Greek history, where freedom, democracy, and the destiny of Thebes hung in the balance. Witness the birth of the Sacred Band as a group of patriots, courageously disguised in women's clothing, sabotage the occupying forces of Sparta. Fueling their campaign with relentless passion and unwavering loyalty, the Sacred Band emerges as a symbol of hope against the might of Sparta, the dominant force in Greece.
Within the pages of this remarkable book, you will bear witness to the intricate web of Theban democracy and the fierce power struggles between city-states. Discover how the prominence of eros, sexual love, integrates with Greek public life, influencing the course of history. Romm's seamless prose will transport you from the violent clashes in city streets to the epic battles that determined the fate of the ancient Greek world.
However, the Sacred Band's remarkable era of triumph is not without its heart-wrenching conclusion. Journey alongside these courageous lovers as they face their ultimate demise in the Battle of Chaeronea, at the hands of Philip II of Macedon and his incomparable son, Alexander. Prepare to be moved by their sacrifice, for it was their extinguished flame that plunged Greek liberty into a two-thousand-year slumber.
Experience the profound impact of this pivotal historical moment in The Sacred Band as James Romm eloquently portrays the demise of Greece's treasured freedom. Join the ranks of readers who have been mesmerized by his accessible prose, which brings to life the twists and turns of this extraordinary tale. Take the first step towards understanding the past, and grasp the true essence of the battle fought by ancient Greek warriors in their quest for liberty.
Seize your copy of The Sacred Band and embark on a riveting journey through the annals of history.
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