A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

3. A native of Thebes, the son of Aeoladas. He was one of the Boeotarchs in the year B. C. 424, when the Athenian expedition to Delium took place. After the fortification of Delium the Athenian troops received orders to return, and the light troops proceeded without stopping to Attica. The heavy-armed infantry halted a short distance from Delium to wait for the Athenian general Hippocrates. Meantime the Boeotian forces had assembled at Tanagra. Sost of the Boeotarchs were unwilling to attack the Athenians. But Pagondas, who was one of the two Theban Boeotarchs, and was commander-in-chief of the Boeotian forces, wishing that the chance of a battle should be tried, by an appeal to the several divisions of the army persuaded the troops to adopt his views. His harangue is reported by Thucydides (4.92). The day being far advanced, he led the main body of his troops at full speed to meet the Athenians, despatching one portion to keep in check the cavalry stationed by Hippocrates at Delium; and, having reached a spot where he was only separated by a hill front the enemy, he drew up his army in battle array, and reached the summit of the ridge when the Athenian line was scarcely formed. As the Boeotian troops halted to take breath Pagondas again harangued them. The Theban division, which was twenty-five deep, bore down all opposition, and the appearance of two squadrons of Boeotian cavalry, which Pagondas had sent round the back of the hill to support his left wing, threw the Athenians into complete confusion, and the rout became general. Seventeen days after the battle the fortress at Delium was also taken. (Thuc. 4.91-96; Athen. 5.215. f.)