<p> The Sacred Band of Thebes, an elite war-band of 150 pairs of hand-picked male fighters, was first formed and organized by the Theban Gorgidas in 378 BCE as a unit of 300 hand-ociked lovers and beloveds, following the Platonic model.  When the unit of 300 was fully developed in 378 BCE, Gorgidas spread the finished pairs throughout the Theban army, hoping that they would inspire courage among the regular troops  No record remains of whether Gorgidas died or retired after his year as Theban Boeotarch, but there is no further word of him or the Sacred Band of Thebes until 375 BCE, when a new Boeotarch, Pelopidas, takes command of the Sacred Band of Thebes and keeps them together as a fighting unit.  The first test of the Boeotarch's unit of Theban Sacred Banders comes against Orchomenos, who had refused to join the Boeotian league and had a large Spartan levy.  Pelopidas led the fight with his unit of 300 Sacred Band of Thebes infantry and 200 cavalry.  The ensuing battle, called the Battle of Tegyra, was the first tie the Sacred Band of Thebes had the opportunity to show what it could do.  Following the Battle of Tygera, victory at the Battle of Leuctra further enhanced Theban primacy and the reputation of the Sacred Band of Thebes. </p>