[RERUN] EPISODE 81: The Other 300 (Part 1)

[RERUN] EPISODE 81: The Other 300 (Part 1)

From History on Fire by Daniele Bolelli

October 20, 2025 · 2h 4m · Season 1 · Episode 81

About this episode

This episode explores the rise of Thebes and its heroes Pelopidas and Epaminondas in challenging Spartan dominance after the Peloponnesian War.

“There was no uproar, and no silence either, but that certain type of noise that results from anger and battle. Clashing shield on shield, they were shoving, fighting, killing, dying.” Xenophon “Pelopidas, after receiving seven wounds in front, sank down upon a great heap of friends and enemies who lay dead together; but Epaminondas, although he thought him lifeless, stood forth to defend his body and his arms, and fought desperately, single-handed against many, determined to die rather than leave Pelopidas lying there.” Plutarch “Urgent matters tomorrow!” Archias “If by… an army, of lovers and their young loves could come into being . . . then, fighting along- side one another, such men, though few in number, could defeat practically all humankind. For a man in love would rather have anyone other than his lover see him leave his place in the line or toss away his weapons, and often would rather die on behalf of the one he loves.” Plato “If we are to have peace. it must be on the basis of equality and justice. If we aren’t all equal, then peace won’t endure.” Epaminondas Following the end of the Peloponnesian War, Sparta emerged as the dominant military power in ancient Greece…

Topics covered

  • Peloponnesian War
  • Thebes
  • Sparta
  • military tactics
  • freedom

Keywords

  • ancient Greece
  • military power
  • Epaminondas
  • Pelopidas
  • battle

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga

Books & works: The Other 300, History on Fire

Places: Sparta, Greece, Japan

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