Objective:
To review the ECC Persian War
reading by highlighting 4 Battles of
the War and identifying the
significance of each.
For each battle complete the
following:
•
•
•
•
1. Who was involved? (people, CS )
2. When and Where was the battle?
3. What happened?
4. How did the battle affect Greece? Why
was it significant?
Ancient Engraving
of Athenian Agora
The Persian Wars were immensely important in the
history of ancient Greece. Working together to
defeat a common foe reminded the Greek citystates that they shared a common language, culture
and religion. After the wars ended, Spartans,
Athenians and residents of other Greek city-states
referred to themselves collectively as “Greeks” more
then they had in the past. Additionally, victory over
the might Persian Empire filled the Greeks with a
new level of confidence. At times, this confidence
expressed itself as sheer arrogance. For example,
in Herodotus' history to the Persian Wars, he
repeatedly referred to the Persians as “barbarians.”
• However, this newfound confidence
led to the development of stunning
cultural achievements, especially in the
city state of Athens. The Athenians
were determined to rebuild their city
and make it one of the most
spectacular in the ancient word.
During the 40 years following the
Persian Wars, the achievements of
Athenians in theater, philosophy,
sculpture, architecture and
government were so numerous that
many have referred to the period as
the “Golden Age” of Athens.
Expansion of the Persian
Empire
1. Persians=King Darius, Satrapies=provinces
2. It was 522-486 BCE From Asian Minor to India and Caspian Sea to
Arabia/Egypt
3. Persians collected taxes but conquered could keep own language,
religion and laws. Darious built new capital Persepolis and it became
know for beauty and splendor.
4. In 513 BCE Darious launched his first invasion on Greece. Greece in
contrast to Persia was divided and city-states fought each other, they
were limited in resources and poor.
Ionian Revolt
1. Ionians-Greek City-state in Asia minor, Sparta refused to help, Athens and
Eretria helped
2. 546 BCE, Asia Minor, city of Miletus burned ended in 493 BCE
3. Ionians were a prosperous city state that no longer wanted to pay tribute to
Persia so in 499 BCE they revolted. Sparta would not help but Athens and
Eretria did, however the Persians put down the rebellion and burnt the city
Miletus to the ground and sold the people into slavery.
4. This marked the beginning of the Persian Wars. It also set up a rivalry
between Athens and Darius/Persia. Darius had a slave remind him every
day “Master, remember the Athenians.” To make sure he would punish them
for their assistance in the rebellion.
Battle of Marathon
1. Darius, Pheidippides=famous Athenian runner who was sent to Sparta to ask for
help. He was the first Marathon runner and died in service.,Miltiades=Athenian
General who led Greeks to victory
2. In 490 BCE Darius sent forces to Aegean Sea and Marathon (26 miles north of
Athens)
3. Athenians only had an army of 9,000 agains tPersians troops of 20,000
(immortals) and 200 ships. Pheidippides ran to Sparta for more troops meanwhile
Miltiades led his army to Marathon where they met the Persians. On the 3rd day
the Persian cavalry the Persian commander decided to sail to Athens to attack
before the Spartans arrived. When Athenians saw that Persian cavalry was gone
Miltiades attacked and the Persians lost 6,400 men. Athens only 162. It was a
victory
4. Miltiades ability to lead Greece to victory with such a small force give Greeks new
confidence against the Persians, and began to turn the tides of war!
Battle of Thermopylae
1. Xerxes, Darius’s heir, who wanted to conquer Athens. His army was made
up of Persians, Phoenicians, Egyptians and Ionian-Greeks!
Leonidas=Spartan leader and hero.
2. 480 BCE Xerxes led his army across Hellespont through N.Greece. The
city-state quickly surrendered. Sparta and Athens decided to work together
to stop the invasion.
3. Leonidas set up defenses at Thermopylae, while Athen’s navy prevented the
Persians from getting supplies. At the narrrow pass of Thermopylae about
100 miles northwest of Athens Sparta defenses fought the Persians. The
Persians were losing until a Greek traitor showed a sevret path to the
Persians who struck the Spartans from behind. Leonidas asked for back up
but it was not sent. Xerxes severed his head and placed it on a pole as an
example.
4. The Spartans and Athenians worked together
Battle of Salamis
1. Xerxes, Themistocles=Athenian general who asked all to leave Athens and
unite near Salamis.
2. 479BCE, Saronic gulf, bay of Eleusis, Island of Salamis
3. Themistocles convinced Greek navy to lure Persia into battle within the narrow
channels between gulf and bay. He argued the Persian ships would be too
large to maneuver there. He wanted to keep Greek fleet on island and not have
it go back to defend Peloponnesus. Since Xerxes suffered great losses at
Thermopylae he did not want to attack by sea however his advisor wanted to
fight the Greeks at Salamis. Only one adviser, Queen Artemisia thought they
should wait. Xerxes rejected her advice. Themistocles sent Xerxes a falst
message saying he had changed sided and wanted a victory for Persia.
Xerxes’s growing impatience made him believe this and the trap was set.
Once the Persian troops entered the channel the Greek warships attached
breaking the oars of the Persian ships and ramming their hulls. Persians were
left unable to move and lost 200 ships while Greeks only lost 40. Xerxes
withdrew to Hellespont. In 479 Persians defeated finally at the Battle of Platea
and forced to leave Asia minor! Yeah Greece.
Hmmm…
• What was the final battle of the Persian
Wars? Platea
• How did they unify Greece? Got them to
join against common enemy and realize
they were all Greek, common language,
religion, culture.
• Which battle was the turning point? Why?
Marathon? Salamis? Defend your
choice…
Effects:
•
The Persian Wars were immensely important in the history of ancient
Greece. Working together to defeat a common foe reminded the Greek
city-state that they shared a common language, culture and religion. After
the wars ended, Spartans, Athenians, and resident of other Greek CS
referred to themselves collectively as “Greeks”. Additionally, victory over
the mighty Persian Empire filled the Greeks with a new level of confidence.
At times this confidence turned into arrogance as proof in Herodotus’s
history of the Persian Wars, he referred to the Persians as Barbarians,
when clearly they were an advanced civilization based on findings of art,
war and technology. However, this confidence also led to the development
of cultural achievements, especially in Athens. The Athenians were
determined to rebuild their city and make it one of the most spectacular in
the ancient world. During the 40 years following the Persian Wars, the
achievements of Athenians, in theater, philosophy, sculpture, architecture
and government were so numerous that many referred to that period as the
Golden Age of Athens.