{"product_id":"theban-sacred-band","title":"Hail Caesar: Aegean States - Theban Sacred Band","description":"\u003ch2\u003eTheban Sacred Band\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegarded as invincible throughout all of Ancient Greece, the Theban Sacred Band (or The Sacred Band of Thebes) were specially selected and trained elite soldiers of the Theban army in the 4th century BC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese wonderfully sculptured men form the basis of your Sacred Band of Thebes - with the full Band consisting of 150 pairs of male lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAged between 20 \u0026amp; 30 these 300 hand-picked men were chosen purely for ability and merit, regardless of social class. Each pair consisted of an older erastês (ἐραστής, \"lover\") and a younger erômenos (ἐρώμενος, \"beloved\") devoted to each other by mutual obligations of love (the \"Sacred\" appellation is claimed by Plutarch to be due to their exchange of sacred vows between lover and beloved at the shrine of Iolaus (one of the lovers of Hercules) at Thebes). Their regular training included wrestling and dance, it's also quite likely equestrian training was provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sacred Band were originally used distributed among the front ranks of the phalanxes of regular infantry. In 375 BC, the command of the band was transferred to boeotarch Pelopidas, one of the original Theban exiles who had led the forces who recaptured Cadmea. Under Pelopidas, the Sacred Band was united as a single unit of shock troops. Their main function was to cripple the enemy by engaging and killing their best men and leaders in battle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis pack contains 8 metal foot figures\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003eModels supplied unassembled and unpainted \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warlord Games\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGame System:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hail Caesar\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFaction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aegean States\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStock Information\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf this item is not currently in stock at time of order, we will order it for you as a \u003cstrong\u003eDirect Order\u003c\/strong\u003e from Warlord Games.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect Order items are sourced directly from the manufacturer on your behalf. Delivery times may be longer than standard in-stock items and can vary depending on supplier availability.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e If your order includes a Direct Order item, these items may ship separately from in-stock products.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Warlord Games","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57785022054781,"sku":"103014501","price":14.4,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5162\/3999\/files\/103014501-Theban-Sacred-Band-01_d4945a99-2620-481e-8c9c-25390dc86f95.jpg?v=1779215399","url":"https:\/\/battlecitygames.co.uk\/products\/theban-sacred-band","provider":"Battle City Games","version":"1.0","type":"link"}