CentralNotice From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search For other uses, see Sacred band . The Sacred Band of Thebes ( Ancient Greek : Ἱερὸς Λόχος , Hieròs Lókhos ) was a troop of select soldiers, consisting of 150 pairs of male lovers which formed the elite force of the Theban army in the 4th century BC. Its predominance began with its crucial role in the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BC. It was annihilated by Philip II of Macedon in the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC. 1 Formation 2 Composition 3 Military history 3.1 Invasions of Agesilaus II 3.2 Battle of Tegyra 3.3 Battle of Leuctra 3.4 Battle of Chaeronea 4 Archaeology 4.1 Lion of Chaeronea 4.2 Trophy of the Battle of Leuktra 5 Historicity 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References Formation [ edit ] See also: Ancient Thebes (Boeotia) The ruins of ancient Theban citadel of Cad...