Persian War Study Guide
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Persia was an area that covered the region of the Middle East and more of Asia.
Darius was the king of Persia at the Start of the Persian War.
Athens (Greece) defeated Persia at the Battle of Marathon
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Marathon was a plain 26 miles from Athens.
A Greek messenger ran 26 miles to Athens and cried out, “Nike!” the Greek word for victory and
died of exhaustion.
Persia defeated Sparta (Greece) at the Battle of Thermopylae
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King Xerxes took over as king of Persia when Darius died.
Leonidas was a Spartan king and military leader that led the Spartans in the battle of
Thermopylae.
The people in Athens fled for the island of Salamis.
300 fierce, brave Spartans defended the narrow passageway.
Athens (Greece) defeated Persia in the Battle of Salamis
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Xerxes burnt Athens to the ground.
The Athenian general, Themistocles, came up with a great plan to beat the Persians at sea.
The Persians that made it to shore were met by the Spartan army and were killed.
Athens and Sparta (Greece) defeated Persia in the Battle of Plataea
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In the Battle of Plataea, the Spartans and Athenians fought side by side and the Greeks
defeated the Persians for good.
The Greeks won the Persian War.
Essay questions:
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How Athens won the Battle of Marathon: Athens attacked from the middle of their army only.
While the fighting was going on, Athens sent in their troops on the sides to surround the
Persians and force them to retreat.
Spartan plan at the Battle of Themopylae: Spartans would fight the Persians at the narrow
mountain pass of Thermopylae. The Persians could only send in a few at a time, so the Spartans
could beat them little by little.
How the Greeks defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis: The Athenians led the Persian
Army to the island of Salamis, where a trap was waiting. When the huge Persian ships reached
a narrow channel between the islands and the main land, they had to go through single file to
fit. The Athenian navy had smaller ships called triremes that were lighter and faster. They were
able to move around better and defeat the larger Persian ships.