Who defeated Sparta?
Sparta was brought down from her part as the major power in the Greek mainland by the Thebans (382-362 BC). The Spartans had turned the relatively peaceful Thebans against them by constant sieges and plundering the countryside. Led by Epiminondas and Pelopidas, the Thebans learnt the art of warfare from the constant Spartan attacks and proved themselves to be the most proficient in all Greece, defeating the Spartans very decisively at the battle of Leuctra in 371 BC.
