he Sacred Band was probably established around the time of the Theban overthrow of Spartan dominance in 378 BC which had been in place since 382. As we have seen (see XIV.2), the Sacred Band built on a long tradition of picked units of 300 Theban hoplites stretching back to the beginning of fifth century at least. Several sources exist for the establishment of the 18-19, 23) tells us one of several origin stories, claiming:
