Thespiae

Thespiae (/ˈθɛspi.iː/ THESP-ee-ee; Ancient Greek: Θεσπιαί, romanized: Thespiaí) was an ancient Greek city (polis) in Boeotia. It sits at the foot of Mount Helicon and near right bank of the Thespius River (modern name Kanavari River).

Thespiae was a Boeotian state sporadically involved in the military federal league known as the Boeotian League. The Boeotian League began in 520 BCE under the leadership of Thebes.

During the Second Persian invasion of Greece, Thespiae's 700 hoplites remained with the Spartans in the Battle of Thermopylae, fighting the Persians and allowing the Greek forces to retreat. Centuries later Greece honored them with a monument. Thespiae was one of the few Boeotian cities to stay loyal to Greece after the battle. Thespiae rivaled Thebes and survived through the Roman Empire.

Thespiae was involved in mythical Greek tales depicting creatures such as the Lion of Cithaeron and a dragon that ate people whole. Mythical figures like Heracles and Narcissus also interacted with the environment of Thespiae.

Thespiae's religious practices included worshiping Eros and the Muses. Artists such as Praxiteles and Lysippos honored Eros through sculptures. Citizens held festivals and competitions dedicated to the Muses and Eros.

Its citizens are called Thespians which holds no correlation with the common noun thespian meaning "actor". The noun comes from the legendary first actor named Thespis. Both Thespis and Thespiae, however, are derived from the noun θέσπις (théspis, meaning 'divine inspiration').^{[citation needed]}

According to historian Snodgrass, during Thespian periods of control over smaller cities like Siphai and their harbors, Thespiae created a "natural steppingstone" effect through a sea route it could use without going through and being subject to powerful states like Athens. Thespiae was at a geographic advantage to choose between allying with Athens and Sparta, and its close ally Platea. The geography and demographic changes of Thespiae after the decrease in the hoplite class is thought to have allowed Thespiae to make a decision to oppose Thebes and leave the Boeotian League.

The probable remains of the ancient acropolis consists of an oval line of fortification, while the ground to the east and south are covered with foundations. Topographer Martin William Leake noted that the unique fortified enclosure implied that many of the other buildings stood without walls.