An elite 300-man corps recruited from pairs of lovers, the Sacred Band played a unique role in Greek history. Originally formed in 379 BC by a group of Theban patriots who struck a blow against the Spartans occupying their city, the corps became emblematic of the new prominence of sexual love in Greek public life. As James Romm details here, the Sacred Band was annihilated by the forces of Philip II of Macedon and his son Alexander the Great in the Battle of Chaeronea—extinguishing Greek liberty for 2,000 years.