Who Were the Persians?
The Persians originally were part of the Aryans. They settled on a high plain between the
Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. This region that they settled on is now called Iran. The best
fighters of the Persian army were called the Immortals because their number never fell below
10,000. When a soldier of the army died or was wounded, another man would immediately
replace them. The Persians refused to trade with any countries because they insisted on being
warriors, farmers, and shepherds. Persians built a Royal Road leading to China, so they could
bring in Chinese silk.
Ionian Revolt
Ionia, a Greek state under the rule of Persia was very unhappy with the way Persia were ruling
their land. The Persians were charging higher taxes and imposing tyrants who were loyal to the
Persians. The two Greek states Athens and Eretria agreed with Ionia and supported them against
the Persians. This act of the Ionians was known as the Ionian Revolt. King Darius, the Persian
King, was very upset because of the Ionian Revolt and even more upset because the two Greek
states were supporting them. With Darius' rage he decided to punish those who supported Ionia
with an invasion on the Scythians, north of the Black Sea. He also did this to extend his empire
into Europe. When Darius attacked the Scythians, in the summer of 514 B.C, he lost! The
Scythians retreated, but they burned all of the Persian's food before they left. Darius army
couldn't find anything to eat, so they were forced to go home. Athens, Thebes, and Sparta knew
the Persians were going to attack them next. These Greek cities sent messages pleading for the
Persian not to attack them. Some said they would do whatever they wanted them to do. At the
end the of the revolt Persians did not seem to do anything bad. They set up agreements and
treaties, set up new tyrants, and renewed the taxes to the old rate.
Battle of Marathon
This was the first of the three battles. During the Ionian Revolt, Athens had sent weapons and
soldiers to Ionia. They then turned their focus to Athens for helping the Ionians in the revolt
against the Persians. They wanted the whole Greece to pay for helping the Ionians. Large, but
slow Persian ships were sent to the Greece mainland. The Greek soldiers charged the Persians
after the Persian boats had docked. The Persian soldiers were unprepared and were
defeated. The Spartans led the Greek soldiers and the Athenians led the navy. The Persians, led
by their king, (Darius) defeated the Spartans but were defeated at the hands of the Athenian
navy. The battle received its name from a Greek runner who sprinted to Athens and cried,
"Nike!" and then died of exhaustion.
Results of Marathon
In the Battle of Marathon six thousand four hundred Persian died and only one hundred ninetytwo Athenians died. Athenians gained great prestige out of the the victory because they fought
almost alone. Myth of Persian invincibility was broken.
Battle of Thermopylae
The Persians ended up returning to Greece just as expected with Darius' son Xerxes. Greek
soldiers tried to block off the pass of Thermopylae but soon fell to the onslaught of the
revengeful Persian army. King Leonidas and his Spartan army blocked the major road behind
the pass. A Greek traitor known as Ephialtes led the Persians around this road. The Spartans
knowing that they were trapped dismissed the Greeks and defended their territory until most of
them were killed. Xerxes and his army then marched on to the evacuated Athens and destroyed
it.
Results of Thermopylae
Greeks lost the battle, hoping to have won. Thermopylae allowed Greeks time to organize. They
did not loose hope and were confident to winning the battle at sea. This war served as an
example of what self-sacrifice can accomplish.
Battle of Salamis
After advancing through Thermopylae, the Persians set sail for the retreating Greek navy. They
sailed to the Straits of Salamis but the large Persian war ships became confused and
disorganized. The small and agile Greek ships then quickly destroyed the Persian navy by using
smart tactics (throwing burning wood on Persian decks, etc.) This victory by the Greeks sent
Xerxes retreating to Asia and ditching his army. The Persians were annihilated at the Battle of
Plataea and the Battle of Mycale.
Results of Salamis
The Greeks were able to lure the Persian in a narrow waterway. the Greeks superior ships won
the battle. Xerxes watched as his ships were rammed and sunk to the ground by the Greeks. The
victory at Salamis was so decisive that Xerxes immediately sailed back to Persia, leaving the
army to fight back the best they could.
Major Characters of Wars
Xerxes
Darius I's son who led the Persians in Battle of Thermopylae and Battle of Salamis.
Born: 518 B.C.
Died: 465 B.C.
Darius
The original king of Persia who conquered Ionia and led the Persians in the Battle of
Marathon. He was the third king of the powerful Persian Empire.
Born: 550 B.C.
Died: 486 B.C.
King Leonidas
The famous king of Sparta who is known for his leadership in the Battle of Thermopylae.
Born: 540 B.C.
Died: 480 B.C.
Ephilates
Greek traitor who betrayed the Spartans and led the Persians around the Thermopylae mountain
pass. Because of him, Athens was destroyed and Greece lost Battle of Thermopylae. Ephilates
means "traitor" in Greek.