Chapter 9
Lesson 3
The Persian Wars
1st Attack – 490 B.C.
Athens vs. Persia
Land battle at Marathon
Pheidippides ran 25 miles from Marathon to
Athens to tell of the victory
Longest Olympic race – the marathon
The Persian Wars
2nd Attack – 480 B.C.
Athens /Sparta vs. Persia
Sea battle at Salamis
Athens and Sparta worked together
300 Spartans were killed in battle
The Golden Age of Athens
Pericles was one of its greatest leaders.
Greek philosophers searched for beauty and order in
the world (Socrates, Aristotle, Plato).
Greeks excelled in arts, architecture, philosophy, and
medicine.
Athenians built temples, statues, and monuments.
The Peloponnesian War
Athens vs. Sparta
Athenian leaders formed the Delian League.
Spartans attacked and destroyed farms and homes around
Athens to starve them.
Plague caused death of thousands of Athenians, including
Pericles.
Sparta won the war due to weak government in Athens.
The Decline of Greek City-States
All of Greece was weakened by war.
Athens regained some strength in trade.
Sparta lost military strength due to loss of
soldiers.
Macedonia (north of Greece) grew in military
strength.