Thebes, A City Formed by The Warriors Who Sprang from a Dragon’s Teeth In ancient times, Thebes was one of the major Greek city states, and a rival of Athens. Later on, however, Thebes fell to the Macedonians, and was eventually conquered by the Romans. The post-Classical history of Thebes is perhaps less well-known. Whilst the site prospered during the Byzantine and Frankish times, it went into went into decline again during the Ottoman occupation. The Mythology and History of Thebes The archaeological evidence suggests that Thebes was already occupied as early as the 3 rd millennium BC and according to Greek mythology , the city was founded by the hero Cadmus. The city’s ancient citadel is said to have been built by the hero with the aid of the five Spartoi. According to the myth, the Spartoi, who were fearsome warriors, sprang from the dragon’s teeth that Cadmus sowed in the ground. By throwing a stone amongst them, the Spartoi began to fight one other, until only five were left. These are said to be the ancestors of the Theban aristocrats. Thus, the ancient citadel is called the Cadmea. Today, however, the Cadmea lies in ruins, following the destruction of Thebes by Alexander the Great in 335 BC.