Epaminondas
Epaminondas (418?–362 B.C.), a Greek general of ancient Thebes. His genius gave his native city a brief period of glory, and under him Thebes displaced Sparta as the strongest power in Greece, as Sparta had previously displaced Athens. Epaminondas was also an orator and statesman. In the warfare that was almost constant among Greek city-states Epaminondas first became prominent in 385 B.C. He devised new military tactics for the Theban army, forming a heavy striking force, 50 men deep, that hit the enemy flanks with successive blows from an oblique formation.
In the Battle of Leuctra in 371 B.C. the Thebans crushed the strong Spartan army. In later campaigns Epaminondas won many of Sparta's allies to the side of Thebes. In 362 B.C. at the Battle of Mantinea Epaminondas again defeated the Spartans but he died in the battle. The Theban period of power ended with his death.