Major Battles in Ancient
Greece
Thermopylae and
Marathon
Why are these battles so
important?
By: Braden Posey
Battle of Thermopylae
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King Leonidas led Sparta and Xerxes led the Persians
Fought between two Greek City-States
Spartans had 300 hundred soldiers vs. The Persians 10,000 immortals
When the immortals would die they would be replaced but the Spartans found out
a way to defeat them
Ephialtes was a Greek traitor who showed Xerxes the secret pass to attack the
Spartans from the rear.
Demophilius was one of the few Greek states pledged along fighting with the
Spartans.
Demophilius had 700 men died alongside the Spartans
Xerxes and his Persians went on to win the Battle of Thermopylae
Battle of Marathon
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Athens vs. Persians
Persians were led by King Darius
Miltiades is a young brave soldier who was a dictator of a few Greek colonies and
was part of the Ionian Revolt
192 of the Persians were killed
When the Spartans figured out Athens won they tour down the battle field
Phidippides ran to Athens 26 miles to tell Athens the news that they won but died
shortly after of exhaustion
Important People in Thermopylae
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Leonidas Spartan Leader
Xerxes Persian Leader
Themistocles
Important people in Marathon
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King Darius Persian Leader
Phidipidies ran the Marathon
Miltiades was a dictator of a few Greek colonies
Battle of
Thermopylae
Before the Battle
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46 nations under 30 Persian generals were assembled for the invasion of Greece.
When Xerxes arrived at Thermopylae he found a place was defended by a body of
300 Spartan soldiers, and 7,000 hoplites from other brought together by King
Leonidas. Xerxes sent Demaratus a spy along to watch them. When the spy
returned he told Xerxes that the Spartans will defend that place until their own
death. Xerxes didn’t believe Demaratus and delayed his attack until 4 days later. In
the 5th day Xerxes sent Medes and Cissians to take them alive and bring them into
presence. When Medes and Cissians arrived they ran toward the Greeks but they
fell in vast numbers. Other people took places in slain, and would not be beaten
off but suffered terrible losses.
During the Battle
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The Greeks, led by the Spartans defended a narrow pass against a huge army of
invading Persians for three days. When the Persians out thought the Greeks 300
Spartans, 700 Thespians, and 400 Thebans fought a rear guard action so the rest of
the Greeks could escape. The Spartans had fought to the last man.
After the Battle
• After the Battle the Persians advanced into Central Greece
and marched into Athens to conquer Greece. Then the
Persians didn’t know Athens evacuated to Salamis. Athens
was prepared for the last stance against the Persian
Powerhouse. Then that became the battle of Salamis.
Battle of Marathon
Before
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The Persians tried to conquer Athens and take over Greece and adding people to
the Persian Empire. They were killing men and burning down buildings and after
that the Greeks wouldn’t stand for it.
During
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The Greeks waited and delayed their attack until 5 days later
After
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Phidipidies had ran 26 miles to tell the Athenians they had won the battle but later
after that Phidipidies had died of exhaustion and before he collapsed he said
victory.
Sources
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www.Google.com
www.Historyforkids.com/ancientgreece