Thebes, Plutarch

When he came to Thebes, to show how willing he was to accept of their repentance for what was past, he only demanded of them Phoenix and Prothytes, the authors of the rebellion, and proclaimed a general pardon to those who would come over to him. But when the Thebans merely retorted by demanding Philotas and Antipater to be delivered into their hands, and by a proclamation on their part invited all who would assert the liberty of Greece to come over to them, he presently applied himself to make them feel the last extremities of war. The Thebans indeed defended themselves with a zeal and courage beyond their strength, being much outnumbered by their enemies. But when the Macedonian garrison sallied out upon them from the citadel, they were so hemmed in on all sides that the greater part of them fell in the battle; the city itself being taken by storm, was sacked and razed. Alexander's hope being that so severe an example might terrify the rest of Greece into obedience, and also in order to gratify the hostility of his confederates, the Phocians and Plataeans. So that, except the priests, and some few who had heretofore been the friends and connections of the Macedonians, the family of the poet Pindar, and those who were known to have opposed the public vote for the war, all the rest, to the number of thirty thousand, were publicly sold for slaves; and it is computed that upwards of six thousand were put to the sword.

CONTROVERSIES: PLUTARCH - ARRIAN - DIODORUS how the battle begun


Alexander  informed the Thebans that it was not too late to change their minds, but they responded with a minuscule attack, which Alexander repelled with archers and infantry. Arrian claims that the next day Perdiccas attacked the Theban gates, before Alexander gave a signal; while according Diodorus the signal had been given. Anyway, the battle of Thebes had begun. When Perdiccas broke through the gate of the city, Alexander moved the rest of his troops in behind to prevent the Thebans from cutting him off. The Macedonians stormed magnificent city of Thebes, and gave an example to the rest of Greece.
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