Thebe

Thebe is a term that can refer to more than one topic, depending on the context. In astronomy, Thebe is a small, inner moon of the planet Jupiter. It was discovered by the Voyager 1 spacecraft during its 1979 flyby of Jupiter. Thebe orbits relatively close to the planet and is one of the many small satellites that accompany the Galilean system. The name Thebe comes from a figure in Greek mythology, following the convention of naming Jovian moons after mythological characters associated with Zeus.

In classical geography and history, Thebe (often anglicized as Thebes) refers to ancient cities in the Greek world. Thebes in Boeotia, central Greece, was a major city-state in the Bronze and Classical periods and features prominently in Greek mythology and literature, including associations with figures such as Oedipus. Its archaeological and historical significance is tied to its role in ancient Greek politics, culture, and myth, and its site sits near the modern town of Thiva in Greece.

The name Thebe can also appear as a transliteration variant in other languages for Thebes or related place names, and may appear in historical or literary texts with alternate spellings. In sum, while Thebe most commonly denotes a Jovian moon, it also serves as a historic-geographic name tied to ancient Greek cities.