Pelopidas (?–364 B.C.), a Theban statesman and general. In 382 B.C. Pelopidas went into exile at Athens when Spartan troops seized control of Thebes. He returned in 379 with six companions, led a revolt that expelled the Spartans, and established a democratic form of government. Pelopidas was a close friend of Epaminondas, and aided him in defeating Sparta at the Battle of Leuctra (371). This battle made Thebes for a time the most powerful state in Greece. Pelopidas led three campaigns into Thessaly, and was killed in battle there.