1. Persian Wars

2. Outline Where was Persia? Greeks fed up Causes? Persia wants to expand. Miletus Rebels – with help of Athens Persia Attacks Athens. –Marathon –Thermopylae –Salamis Bay What made the Greeks so successful?

3. Mighty Empire of Persia (Iran) controls much of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. http://www.teachinghearts.org/dr0imappersia.gif

4. Causes of the wars Underlying causes –Persia was a threat to other city-states because they were wanting to expand. –Greeks loved independence, this sparked a desire for freedom from a large empire. –The Persians wanted revenge. Immediate causes –The Persians made advancements on Athens at Marathon as revenge.

5. Who was Persia? They were the largest empire of all near east empires. Present day Iran. Led by Cyrus the Great It was a military state. –What is that? Greatest military power in the world at the time. They were a threat to Greek city-states because the city-states were small scattered units weakened by fighting among each other. (Were not prepared to fight a strong empire.)

6. Mighty Empire of Persia (Iran) controls much of the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Can you find Greece? http://www.teachinghearts.org/dr0imappersia.gif

7. Where to go next….?

8. Ionian Revolt When Greece colonized, they set up several city-states along the coast of Asia Minor. Several people moved to Ionia.When Greece colonized, they set up several city-states along the coast of Asia Minor. Several people moved to Ionia. There had not been any interference with them until 6 th Century BC.There had not been any interference with them until 6 th Century BC. In 546 BC Cyrus invaded the area and now the Greek city-states in Asia Minor were under Persian control.In 546 BC Cyrus invaded the area and now the Greek city-states in Asia Minor were under Persian control. –These city-states became important ports for the Persian Navy. Even though the Greek city-states prospered because of this they did not like being dependant on a foreign power.Even though the Greek city-states prospered because of this they did not like being dependant on a foreign power.

9. In 499 BC Greek colonies, led by Miletus, and city-states on Asia Minor revolt against Persia. Tired of paying tribute to Persia.In 499 BC Greek colonies, led by Miletus, and city-states on Asia Minor revolt against Persia. Tired of paying tribute to Persia. Miletus Greece

10. Persian Wars Persian leader, Darius, sends huge Persian naval fleet of 600 vessels to attack and destroy Athens…. Persian navy hit by huge storm…..loses over ½ fleet!?! Darius  You Greeks are lucky, we’ll get you! Athens  Sea Gods are on our side! http://www.carteretcountyschools.org/wchs/teachers/cwertz/images/Today'71.jpg

11. Colonies on Asia Minor asked Greece for help in fighting Persia. Athens only polis (city state) to respond by sending their navy. Destroys Persian fleet. Sparta refused to help. Persia eventually defeated the attack after 5 years, but never forgot the challenge to their authority. Cyrus died (not known how) and his son Darius I took over. Wanted revenge on Athens.

12. Cyrus the Great’s Tomb

13. BEFORE THE PERSIAN WAR Athens finds silver mines and builds a great navy of triremes.Athens finds silver mines and builds a great navy of triremes. City-states pay Athens for protection.City-states pay Athens for protection. Persia severely ticked off now. (They want revenge.)Persia severely ticked off now. (They want revenge.)

14. Trireme An ancient Greek or Roman galley or warship, having three tiers of oars on each side. Trireme Trireme BaysTrireme Bays

15. The War is Near Darius planned for 9 years on how he would attack mainland Greece. He started by taking over Thrace, Macedon and northern Greece. Darius sent messengers throughout Greece to warn of a Persian attack, but the threats were ignored. City-states did not prepare. Athens and Sparta agree to help the other if attacked. 490 BC Persians cross the Aegean Sea and land on Greek soil with a fleet of 600.

16. Persian Wars Persians attack at the Plains of Marathon, near Athens http://www.geocities.com/ancientgreece2001/marathon.jpg

17. Persian Wars Plains of Marathon http://www.greecetaxi.gr/Marathon/Marathon01.JPG

18. Persian Wars http://www.ananova.com/images/web/114098.jpg Athenians see the huge amount of ships and panic. Send Pheidippides from the plains of Marathon to Sparta (125kms) for help. “We’ll come when we’re done partying.” Returns and drops dead.

19. Athenians Heavily outnumbered No cavalry No archers No allied support for many days…. What to do…?

20. REASONS ATHENIANS WON! They were protecting their own turf.They were protecting their own turf. They had a great general named Militiades.They had a great general named Militiades. They had used “phalanx”.They had used “phalanx”.