Thiva

Thiva, known in English as Thebes, is a city in central Greece and the capital of the Boeotia regional unit. The modern town lies in the Boeotian plain, about 85 to 90 kilometers northwest of Athens, and serves as the administrative center of the municipality of Thebes. The name Thiva derives from the ancient city Thebes (Θήβα), which stood on the same site.

Ancient Thebes was a major city-state in central Greece. Located on the Ismenus River, it possessed the Cadmea, a fortified citadel that dominated the city. Thebes figures prominently in Greek myth and history, most notably in the Oedipus cycle and in the works of Sophocles. In the 4th century BCE Thebes achieved political and military ascendancy, notably with the Sacred Band and its victory over Sparta at Leuctra (371 BCE) under Epaminondas. The city’s influence waned after the rise of Macedon, but its legacy persisted in legend and literature.

The modern town preserves a long archaeological and historical heritage. Nearby ruins of the Cadmea fortress and the Ismenion sanctuary of Ismenian Apollo are important sites, and the Thebes Archaeological Museum houses regional finds. The local economy is regional, with agriculture, trade, and light industry playing roles. Thebes is connected by road to Athens and northern Greece and is served by rail, making it a gateway for visitors exploring Boeotia and central Greece.