While lesser known than regions to the north and south, Boiotia commands a respectable place in Hellenic history. Mountainous across the south and hilly over the north, the region once held the Kopiada lake at its center, fed by the River Kephissos. Although bordering both the Gulf of Corinth and the Euripos Strait, Boiotia lacked useable natural harbors. As a result, the urban centers of Boiotia developed in the interior, the foremost of which was Thebes.

Although Theban strength in the region prompted the resentment of other Boiotian cities, the region came to develop a generally-organized front against outsiders. The Boiotian League lasted from the 600s to 479 BCE. Eventually the influence of Thebes would be such that the history of the region was tied to its greatest city.

The map below provides an overview of Boiotia. Clicking on the symbols which accompany the denoted locals will provide more information about each. Note that Thebes and Orchomenos link to their respective poleis.

• Mount Helicon

  I begin my song with the Heliconian Muses; they have made Helicon, the great god-haunted mountain, their domain; their soft feet move in the dance that rings the violet-dark spring and the altar of mighty Zeus. They bathe their lithe bodies in the water of Permessos or of Hippocrene or of god-haunted Olmeios. On Helicon's peak they join hands in lovely dances and their pounding feet awaken desire.
  -- Hesiod, Theogony

  Rising in the mountainous southwest, Helicon is a place of myth. Drawn by the Heliconian springs, Aganippe and Hippocrene, both the Muses and Eros came to adore this peak. A young Boiotian shepherd named Hesiod discovered his poetic talents upon the mountain while tending his flock. Legend states that the handsome Narcissus viewed his entrancing reflection in a spring on Helicon.

  Back

• Thespiae

  Eros by Praxiteles

  Nestled among roving hills stretched east from Mount Helicon is found the town of Thespiae. Thespius, son of King Erechtheus of Athens, founded the town according to myth. As the father of fifty daughters, Thespius wanted his grandchildren to be born of Herakles. Thus, while the famed hero hunted for the Cithaeron lion, Thespius sent one daughter to him each night until all fifty were pregnant. Eros reigned as the chief diety. His statue, by the Attic scupltor Praxiteles, was the city's main attarction until its removal by the Romans. Narcissus was a Thespian, and his story was central in the rise of the town's Eros cult.

  A prominent settlement in Boiotia, Thespiae refused to abide by the dominant politics of Thebes. When Persia invaded Hellas in 480 BCE, the Thespiaans sent troops against the invaders at the Battle of Thermopylae. Thebes came to grant the foreigners their support, yet Thespiae refused to follow suit. As punishment, the town was razed by Xerxes I. During the Corinthian War the Thespians provided a base for Sparta against Thebes. The latter would demolish Thespiae after the Battle of Leuctra in 371. Two centuries later the town was reestablished and, as always, supported the advancing Romans against Thebes.

  Finally, while people of Thespiae are known as Thespians, this is of no relation to "thespians", who are named for the actor Thespis.

  Back

• Plataea
  A staunch ally of Athens over Thebes, Plataea witnessed the final victory of the allied Hellenic city-states against Persia (and their Theban allies) at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE. Thebes would return the favor in the Peloponnesian War, reyling on Plataea's long-standing and contentious relationship with Athens to make the town a target. With the aid of Sparta, Thebes undertook a siege of Plataea from 429–427, culminating in the settlement's razing. Although rebuilt, Plataea is sacked again by Thebes in 373. Alexander the Great would reestablish Plataea while Thebes was destroyed.

  Back

A number of Boiotians have etched their names into the annals of history. Though several such individuals were Thebans, below are two figures who hailed from other places in the region.

Hesiod When: c. 700 BCE Where: near Mount Helicon Why: A contemporary of Homer, Hesiod is argued by some to be the greatest of the epic poets. His works include Works and Days, Theogony (attributed), and others.

Plutarch When: c. 46 CE - 127 Where: Chaironeia Why: A man of great talent, Plutarch served as a priest at the Oracle of Delphi, ambassador, pronconsul, historian, and writer. His works include the immensely popular Parallel Lives, in which he evaluated select Hellenic and Roman individuals.

Sources: Wikipedia: Boeotia Hesiod Mount Helicon Plataea Plutarch Thespiae Plato & his Dialogues: Boeotia Thespiae Infoplease: Boeotia Helicon in Myth and Art The Columbia Encyclopedia: Plataea

Credits: Mount Helicon, edited Source Eros by Praxiteles, edited Source