2. Ephoros says these Thebans were of the party opposed to medism.
3. If they were not, Xerxes committed a gross error of policy in branding their prisoners after Thermopylæ.
Plut. Herod. Mal. 31–33.
4. Plutarch, a Bœotian himself, emphatically denies the truth of Herodotus’ story.
Plutarch’s statements, in brief, are as follows:—
(a.) The fact that Thebes sent five hundred men to Tempe is proof that up to the time of Thermopylæ Thebes supported the Greek cause.
(b.) Leonidas had no suspicions against Thebes. He was treated with special honour there.
THE THEBAN CONTINGENT.
(c.) If these Thebans were traitors to the Greek cause, why did Leonidas retain so dangerous an element with him in the last fight at Thermopylæ?
(d.) The chief of the Theban contingent was not Leontiades, but Anaxandros.