 After the battle at Leuctra, Thebes began to replace Sparta as the leading city of Greece.In 370 BC he accompanied his close friend Epaminondas as "boeotarch" into the Peloponnese, where by re-founding as an independent city Messene Sparta’s former dependency, they were able to consolidate their success, and permanently deprive Sparta of its hegemonic power.On their return, both generals were accused, unsuccessfully, of having retained their command beyond the legal term.