Samuel Gartland | Session 4 of the Battle of Plataea Conference
Channel: The Center for Hellenic Studies
Date: 2022-06-29

Harmony on the Cadmea: Persians, Thebans, and the Battle of Plataea

Samuel Gartland (University of Leeds)

The co-ordination of forces before and during at the battle of Plataea marks a highpoint of effective co-operation between Persians and mainland Greeks. Most conspicuous was the relationship between Thebans and Persians: they eat together, fight together, and ultimately lose the battle together, but this last part should not obscure from view the brief flourishing of a remarkable relationship. In this paper I will consider this partnership as an impressive and productive achievement, borne of opportunism on both sides but which provided the Persians with an able and willing partner in southern-central Greece, and the battle with its distinctive form.