Ancient settlement in southeastern Boeotia, an important Mycenaean centre and the legendary birthplace of Heracles. The city re-emerged in the 6th century BC and for much of its history was preoccupied with maintaining control of the rich plain of Boeotia against the ambitions of Athens and Sparta. A stunning victory over Sparta at Leuctra in 371 BC saw Thebes become the most powerful state in Greece for a short period, but after 360 BC it was of little importance.