17. The destruction of Thebes by Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great ordered the complete destruction of the Greek city state of Thebes as a means of setting an example to other rebellious Greek cities. Thebes had risen in rebellion to the Macedonians upon hearing the news that Alexander had died while besieging the city of Pelium, a rumor spread by Demosthenes, one of the most well-known and respected political leaders of Athens. Demosthenes incited the Thebans to revolt, provided Athenian weapons and support, and helped negotiate an alliance between other Greek cities against the Macedonians. Meanwhile a very much alive Alexander maneuvered his troops toward Thebes and sent emissaries to attempt to resolve the rebellion peacefully.
His peace feelers rejected, Alexander attacked the Theban army within the city in a battle during which the Thebans fought fiercely. Theban slaves were freed to join in the battle in support of their former masters, many of which went over to the side of the Macedonians. After destroying the Theban army and capturing the city Alexander ordered its complete destruction. The remaining 30,000 Thebans, those not killed in the fighting or in retribution by the Macedonian troops, were sold into slavery. The city was burnt to the ground, except for the house belonging to the poet Pindar, who had written poetry praising Alexander I of Macedon, of whom Alexander the Great was a descendant. About 6,000 were killed in Thebes and the aftermath, and the city ceased to exist.