The Persian War
Go to your table of contents page in your notebook.
Title is Persian War
Review
 Last time we talked about two city states,
Athens and Sparta
• What are some differences between
the two states?
 Despite these differences the two city
states had to work together to defeat
Persia, an unstoppable empire.
 What would make you put aside your
differences with someone? Would it
be hard?
The Persian War
Around 500 B.C. all of Greece was terrified,
the mighty Persian Empire decided to invade
and take over Greece.
 The Persian Army was huge, well trained, and
experienced
 They had never been completely defeated
 Greece was in trouble.
Re-read Page 191 in Gold Text Book
Tale of the Tape
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Greece
Made up of several small
city states
Athens was the richest and
most powerful
Athens had the best navy
but only one
Sparta had the best army
and were the best fighters
Never have joined together
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Persia
A giant empire made up of
conquered countries
Had some of the finest
soldiers in the world
Had a massive navy and
army
Had conquered most of the
known world
The Greek’s Fighting Phalanx
• The Phalanx was a Greek fighting formation.
• They soldiers formed in
a rectangle and protected each
other with heavy shields
• They used long spears and swords to strike
out against the enemy
• Why done correctly, no one could defend against the
Phalanx
Persian Immortal
• Best of the best of the Persian
Military
• Were the guardians of the
Persian Emperor and
his finest soldiers
• 10,000 strong
• Were called “Immortals”
because when one died,
another took his place.
Famous People of the Persian War
King Xerxes
• Emperor of the Persian
Empire
• Was in charge during
most of the war
• Controlled most of the
known world
• Excellent at Military
Strategy
King Leonidas
• King of Sparta
• One of the finest warriors
in the world
• Believed by the Spartans to
be a descendent of Hercules
• Led 300 Spartans in a fight
against the entire Persian
Empire at Thermopylae
Themistocles
• Athenian politician
• Helped build a strong Navy
• Great leader
• Defeated the Persians at
Marathon and Salamis
What would you do?
• If you were a member
of the Greek city states
would you have fought
against Persia?
• In a paragraph explain 3
reason why you would
or would not have
fought.
• Explain your reasons
Share out your ideas with the class
Famous Battles within the War
Battle of Marathon
 Was the first battle in the Persian Invasion
 Athens fought against the Persian Army
 The Athenians trapped the Persians in a the
area of Marathon and attacked them at night
 Persia was defeated by the heavy armed
Athenians
 This battle showed the Greeks that the Persians
were not invincible and could be beaten.
Phidipides
• Was a soldier at the Battle of
Marathon
• After the battle he raced to Athens to
tell them that they had won so they
wouldn’t surrender
• Made it and said “Nike”
“We are Victorious”
• Died of exhaustion
• The Olympic race “The Marathon” is
named for his sacrifice.
Thermopylae
 After losing Persia was mad and attacked again
 Spartan King Leonidas set out with 300 of his men to the
Hot Gates
 For three days he and his soldiers fought and nearly
defeated the army of King Xerxes
 While this was going on Themistocles of Athens fought
the Persian navy
 This battle shows that training and skill can defeat a
more powerful army
Battles of Salamis and Platea
• After the Battle at Thermopolye Greeks were
inspired to work together
• Sparta, Athens (led by Themistocles), and
other city-states joined up to defeat Persia
• In a great Naval and Land battle the Greeks
destroyed the Persian Army and won the war
• These battles showed that when the Greeks
worked together anything is possible
What this meant for Greece
• It meant that the Greeks were now super
strong, and Super confidant. They were ready
to start a Golden Age!