republic of ancient Greece, bounded on the north by the Locris Opuntia region, on the east by Atalante Channel and Evripos (strait), on the south by the regions of Attica and ancient Megaris and the Gulf of Corinth, and on the west and northwest by the region of Phocis. The region occupied by ancient Boeotia now forms part of the Greek Department (or nome) of Attica and Boeotia. An Aeolian people, the Boeotians were originally from Thessaly. The soil of Boeotia was fertile, excellent for both crops and pasture, and contained various minerals; the Boeotians excelled as farmers. They were also noted for music, poetry, political innovations, and military competence. Boeotia emerged as a significant Greek state about 600 bc. At that time, Thebes, the chief city, succeeded in forming the Boeotian League, a confederation of 14 city-states, including Orchomenus and Thespiae. Hostile relations between the Boeotian League and Athens finally led to a general conflict, which culminated in an Athenian victory (457 bc) and the destruction of the confederation. In 447 bc the Boeotians led a successful revolt against Athens, and the confederation was reestablished. The Boeotian League sided with Sparta during the Peloponnesian War (431–404 bc). In 424 bc the Boeotian army inflicted a severe defeat on the Athenians at Delium. The Theban general Epaminondas led the army of the Boeotian League to a decisive victory over the army of Sparta at Leuctra in 371 bc. From that time until 338 bc, when King Philip II of Macedonia defeated a combined army of Thebans and Athenians at Chaeronea, Boeotia ruled Greece. The destruction of Thebes by Alexander the Great ended the political power of the republic.