GREECE PELOPONNESE ARCADIA MILIA

Grave of Epaminondas

Near Milia, southeast of Mantineia, are two ancient monuments, the first one being the grave of Epaminondas (my sketch plan below left was produced from memory after the visit), a mausoleum-like tomb.

Epaminondas was a Theban general and statesman of the 4th century BC who transformed the Ancient Greek city-state of Thebes, leading it out of Spartan subjugation into a preeminent position in Greek politics. Michel de Montaigne judged him one of the three "worthiest and most excellent men" that had ever lived, but Epaminondas has unjustly fallen into relative obscurity in modern times.

Epaminondas led the Theban forces in the "Second Battle of Mantineia" (which probably took place right here), in 362 BC. In this battle Thebes was victorious over the allied forces of Athens and Sparta, but lost its prominent general Epaminondas and finally its hegemony.