Battle Of Chaeronea And Defeat Of Sacred Band (338 BC)

The Battle of Chaeronea took place in 338 BC near Chaeronea in Boeotia, between an alliance of Greek city-states led by Macedonia under Philip II and an alliance led by Athens and Thebes. The fight marked the finale of Philip's final wars in 339-338 BC, and the Macedonians and their allies won decisively.

Some independent city-states in Greece, particularly Thebes and Athens, saw Alexander's father, Philip II of Macedonia, as a threat. This resulted in the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC in Boeotia, central Greece, when Alexander, at the age of 18, played a crucial role, directing the left-wing command to help his father secure victory. The Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite corps formerly thought to be invincible, was slaughtered by Alexander's cavalry wing. This victory gave Macedonia a dominant position in Greece, allowing Alexander to continue his exploits.

The fight that followed is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that Alexander's men defeated the opposing Sacred Band. The effect on the already shattered Theban and Athenian morale was devastating; the Greek city-state army was quickly routed, with Demosthenes among those who fled.