Thebes: the forgotten city of ancient Greece

Pre-history. Introduction: From myth to history ; City of myth: the Theban cycle ; City of prehistory and protohistory: archaeology, the Linear B tablets and Homer

Archaic Thebes. Religion ; Politics

Classical Thebes. Foreign affairs ; City of song: Pindar and Athenian tragedy ; The Peloponnesian and Corinthian wars ; Theban heyday: city of Epaminondas and Pelopidas

Downfall. Battle of Chaeronea ; The destruction of Thebes

Afterlife: The persistence of Oedipus. Thebes rebuilt ; Mythic revivals: the 'pigs' bite back ; Conclusion

Afterword: A tribute to Peter Mayer.