Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • An ancient Greek city in Boeotia: A major city-state in ancient Greece, known for its military power and rivalry with Athens and Sparta. It was famously destroyed by Alexander the Great in 336 BC.
   • An ancient Egyptian city on the Nile River: A prominent capital and religious center of ancient Egypt, which flourished from the 22nd century BC to the 18th century BC. It is renowned for its monumental temples and tombs.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Greek city):
  • Thebes was a dominant power in Greece after defeating Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra.
  • Alexander the Great razed Thebes as a warning to other Greek city-states.
• Proper noun (Egyptian city):
  • Ancient Thebes was the capital of Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdoms.
  • The archaeological site of Thebes includes the Karnak Temple Complex and the Valley of the Kings.

Advanced Usage

• "Theban" (adjective): Pertaining to either ancient Thebes in Egypt or Thebes in Greece.
  • The Theban army was a formidable force in 4th-century Greece.
  • The Theban necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Variants and Related Words

• Theban (noun): A citizen or inhabitant of either ancient Thebes.
  • Oedipus was a mythical king of Thebes.
  • The Thebans were skilled in chariot warfare.

Synonyms

• No direct synonyms: As a proper noun for specific historical cities, there are no true synonyms. It can be contextually referred to by its epithets.
  • For the Egyptian city: "Waset" (its ancient Egyptian name), "the city of the Hundred Gates".
  • For the Greek city: "the dominant city of Boeotia".

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "Thebes of the Hundred Gates": A poetic epithet for the Egyptian Thebes, highlighting its grandeur.
• "The Seven against Thebes": A famous story from Greek mythology about an attack on the city.
• "Theban Legion": A legendary Roman legion from the Theban region in Egypt, composed of Christian soldiers.

Noun

1. an ancient Greek city in Boeotia destroyed by Alexander the Great in 336 BC
2. an ancient Egyptian city on the Nile River that flourished from the 22nd century BC to the 18th century BC; today the archeological remains include many splendid temples and tombs