The Persian Wars Ancient greece

Basics Who: When: Why: The United Greek City States vs. the Persians 499 BCE to 449 BCE (slight lull in between 1st and second wars) Why: The Persian Empire was expanding and the Greeks resisted conquest.

Background Athens and Sparta were rivals up until the on set of the Persian wars. Persia was the largest Empire in the world at this time. It was a threat to Greece, especially to its colonies in Asia Minor.

Background In the 6th century BCE (500’s) Persia conquered Greek colonies in Ionia Some poleis sent aid to the colonies when they tried to rebel against the Persians.

Background King Cyrus of Persia Gets angry about rebellion Decides to conquer all of Greece. Attempts at conquest cause the Greek City States to Unite! Persia fails…. For now.

The First Persian War The Persian Wars

The 1st Persian War Emperor Darius I of Persia In 492 BCE decides to invade and conquer Greece. He gathered a huge army and navy to launch the invasion. Battle of Marathon After sacking the city of Eretria the Persian ships land at the city of Marathon.

The 1st Persian War Battle of Marathon Greeks were out numbered 2 to 1! When the Persians began to return to their ships the Greeks attacked. IT WORKS! THE GREEKS WIN!

The 1st Persian War Pheidippides Greek messenger Ran from Marathon to Athens (26.6 Miles) with news of the victory. When he arrived he shouted “NIKE!” (Victory) then dies from exhaustion.

The Second Persian War…. The sequel The Persian Wars

The 2nd Persian War King Xerxes Wanted revenge for the humiliation of Persia and his father (Darius) He amassed (raised) a huge military force to invade Greece. between 200,000 and 400,000 troops, AND between 700 and 800 warships

The 2nd Persian War Many Greek poleis in the Aegean quickly surrendered to the advancing Persian army. Athens, Sparta, and a few other poleis formed an alliance and decided to stand-up to Xerxes It was the Athenian General Themistocles that convinced poleis to build a navy to fight the Persians.

The 2nd Persian War Sparta was chosen to lead the alliance Makes sense, they were a military society. Athens would provide the majority of the ships for the battles.

The 2nd Persian War The Greeks needed time to build their navy. They decided to meet the Persians at the mountain pass at Thermopylae to try and slow them down. About 7000 Greek Soldiers were sent to face Xerxes massive army. 300 were SPARTANS!!!!!!

The 2nd Persian War The Battle of Thermopylae 480 BCE Greeks led by King Leonidas of Sparta Battle lasted for about 7 days. In the end the Persians were able to defeat the last of the Spartans when Ephialtes showed them away behind the Greek lines.

The 2nd Persian War Because the Spartans held Xerxes up at Thermopylae, the Athenians were able to assembly the navy. It met at Salamis – a narrow strait to the south of Athens.

The 2nd Persian War The Persians found a Greek that “revealed the location of the Greek fleet. When the Persians arrived in the strait they found themselves in a trap. Persian ships were too big to move around in the narrow water way.

The 2nd Persian War The Greeks had smaller more agile ships than the Persians. They quickly attacked the Persian fleet. The Greeks won.

Outcomes of the Wars The Persians retreat to Asia Minor and never invade Greece again With out the threat of invasion Greece’s culture flourishes – The Golden Age of Greece (Classical Greece)

Outcomes of the War For a period of time the poleis get along. Athens becomes a dominate force in the region The Delian League was created to protect against possible future invasions. (Sparta did not join)