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Boeotarches (Boiotarches). The Boeotians in ancient times occupied Arne in Thessaly
( Thuc.i. 12). Sixty years after the taking of Troy they were expelled by the
Thessalians, and settled in the country then called Cadmeis, but afterwards Boeotia.
The leader of the Boeotians was King Opheltas. It would seem that their kings
ruled the whole country from Thebes. Later on, the country was divided into several
States, containing each a principal city, with its allies and dependants. The
number and names of these independent States are differently given by different
writers on the subject; we know, however, for certain that they formed a confederacy
called the Boeotian League, with Thebes at its head, and Freeman is of opinion
that the political union grew out of an older Amphictyony. Common sanctuaries
were the temple of the Itonian Athene near Coronea, where the Pamboeotia were
celebrated, and the Temple of Poseidon in Onchestus. Thucydides (iv. 93) mentions
seven independent States: Thebes, Haliartus, Coronea, Copae, Thespiae, Tanagra,
and Orchomenus; and we learn from inscriptions that, at one time or other, the
following belonged to the same class: Anthedon, Lebadea, Hyettus, Acraephia, Chorsia
(or Korsia, Demosth. F. L. 141, etc.), Thisbe, Chaeronea. O. Muller (Orchom. p.
403) supposes there were originally fourteen free States. Probably the number
differed at different times. Each of the principal towns of Boeotia seems to have
had its demos and boule. The boule was presided over by an archon, who probably
had succeeded to the priestly functions of the old kings, but possessed little,
if any, executive authority. The polemarchs, who, in treaties and agreements,
are mentioned next to the archon, had some executive authority, but did not command
forces--e. g. they could imprison, and they directed the levies of troops. But,
besides the archon of each separate State, there was an archon of the confederacy
--archon en koinoi Boioton--most probably always a Theban. His name was affixed
to all alliances and compacts which concerned the whole confederacy, and he was
president of what Thucydides calls the four councils, who directed the affairs
of the league (hapan to kuros echousi). On important questions they seem to have
been united; for the same author speaks of them as he boule, and informs us that
the determinations of the Boeotarchs required the ratification of this body before
they were valid. We may now explain who these Boeotarchs were. They were properly
the military heads of the confederacy, chosen by the different States; but we
also find them discharging the functions of an executive in various matters. In
fact, they are represented by Thucydides as forming an alliance with foreign States;
as receiving ambassadors on their return home; as negotiating with envoys from
other countries, and acting as the representatives of the whole league, though
the boule refused to sanction the measures they had resolved on in the particular
case to which we are now alluding. Another instance in which the Boeotarchs appear
as executive is their interference with Agesilaus, on his embarking from Aulis
for Asia (B.C. 396), when they prevented him offering sacrifice as he wished.
Still, the principal duty of the Boeotarchs was of a military nature: thus, they
led into the field the troops of their respective States; and when at home they
took whatever measures were requisite to forward the military operations of the
league or of their own State. For example, we read of one of the Theban Boeotarchs
ordering the Thebans to come in arms to the ecclesia for the purpose of being
ready to attack Plataea. Each State of the confederacy elected one Boeotarch,
the Thebans two, although on one occasion--i. e. after the return of the exiles
with Pelopidas (B.C. 379)--we read of there being three at Thebes. The total number
from the whole confederacy varied with the number of the independent States. Mention
is made of the Boeotarchs by Thucydides, in connection with the battle of Delium
(B.C. 424). There is, however, a difference of opinion with respect to his meaning:
some understand him to speak of eleven, some of twelve, and others of thirteen
Boeotarchs. Dr. Arnold is disposed to adopt the last number; and we think the
context is in favour of the opinion that there were then thirteen Boeotarchs,
so that the number of free States was twelve. At the time of the battle of Leuctra
(B.C. 371), we find seven Boeotarchs mentioned; on another occasion, when Greece
was invaded by the Gauls (B.C. 279), we read of four. Livy states that there were
twelve, but before the time (B.C. 171) to which his statement refers Plataea had
been reunited to the league. Still the number mentioned in any case is no test
of the actual number, inasmuch as we are not sure that all the Boeotarchs were
sent out by their respective states on every expedition or to every battle.
The Boeotarchs, when engaged in military service, formed a council
of war, the decisions of which were determined on by a majority of votes, the
president being one of the two Theban Boeotarchs who commanded alternately. Their
period of service was a year, beginning about the winter solstice; and whoever
continued in office longer than his time was punishable with death both at Thebes
and in other cities. Epaminondas and Pelopidas did so on their invasion of Laconia
(B.C. 369), but their eminent services saved them; in fact, the judges did not
even come to a vote respecting the former (oude archen peri autou thesthai ten
psephon). At the expiration of the year, a Boeotarch was eligible to office a
second time, and Pelopidas was repeatedly chosen. From the case of Epaminondas
and Pelopidas, who were brought before Theban judges (dikastai) for transgression
of the law which limited the time of office, we may conclude that each Boeotarch
was responsible to his own State alone, and not to the general body of the four
councils.
Mention is made by Livy of an election of Boeotarchs. He further informs
us that the league (concilium) was broken up by the Romans B.C. 171. Still, it
must have been partially revived, as we are told of a second breaking-up by the
Romans after the destruction of Corinth, B.C. 146.
This text is from: Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities. Cited Oct 2003 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains interesting hyperlinks
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