Chaironeia

Chaironeia

The place where the Allied armies of Athens, Sparta and Thebes wanted to counter the threat posed by the Macedonian king Philippos II. In the battle of 331 BC. the allies were defeated by Philippos II, thereby confirming his rule over Greece. The Theban Holy Bevy, an elite corps consisting of pairs of soldiers  and lovers, was completely destroyed. After the battle, the Thebans buried the fallen warriors of the Holy Bevy in a beautiful monument, more than 5 meters high, consisting of a not very realistic lion, seated on top of a pedestal that served as a mass grave for the 254 fallen of the Theban Holy Bevy. In ancient times, the monument was damaged by earthquakes and in the war of independence it was smashed by a Kleft, who believed that  he would find gold in the monument. In recent years, the monument has been completely restored and preserved, and can now be seen in all its beauty. The ancient town has a theater carved out of the rock above which rise the remain of the acropolis.