The Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian Wars affected democracy in the Greek city-states.

Persian Empire v. United Greece ~ 27 years long

546 B.C.E. Persian conquered the Greek city-state of Ionia 499 B.C.E. The Ionians revolted against the Persians  Even with aid from mainland Greece the revolt was unsuccessful  Darius I, King of Persia, wished to punish mainland Greeks for aiding the rebels

The Athenians (10,000 men) defeat the Persians (20,000 men) who lost 6,400 in the altercation compared with the Greeks who lost only 192 Seen as a huge victory for the Athenians

480 B.C.E. Xerxes, Darius’s son, invaded Greece with 200,000 men Greeks, led by Themistocles, wished to engage the Persians by sea To allow for the naval encounter the Greeks had to delay the Persians coming from the North  Thermopylae

King Leonidus, of Sparta, delayed the Persians at Thermopylae for 3 days  betrayed  surrounded (300) Law of Sparta- Never surrender on the battlefield, but fight until victory or death

Themistocles drew the Persian fleet into the straight of Salamis Large Persian ships were sitting ducks for the lighter and faster Greek ships 479 B.C.E Persians retreated to Asia Minor again

Most achievements in the arts and science took place during this time Pericles in Charge Pericles rebuilt Athens (447 B.C.E.  Parthenon)

Simple Homes – two main rooms and several smaller rooms that are built around a court yard Dining Room- Entertainment and Eating Wool Room- Women spun and wove cloth Courtyard- Alter, Wash Basin, and sometimes a well Chickens and Goats

Men- Morning: Worked as farmers, artisans, or merchant Afternoon: Attended assembly Exercising at the gymnasium Entertainment: Symposium- drinking session following a banquet Slaves- foreigners and prisoners of war 1/3 of population craft productions and mining teachers and household servants Women- spent day cooking and making wool clothes Poor- sold food and weaved cloth

The Persian threat remained Athens convinced most Greek city-states to ally against Persia in the Delian League- EXCEPT Sparta Athens grew richer, Sparta grew jealous, and conflict ensued 431 BCE-404 BCE Sparta allied with Persia to fight Athenian navy Athenians surrendered in 404 BCE

1) Athens nor Sparta would never fully recover 2) City-States declined in population 3) Fighting destroyed much of the land 4) Huge amounts of unemployment Many became mercenaries, hired soldiers, in Persian Army 5) Greeks lost ability to govern themselves Lost faith in democracy Might Makes Right Continual Fighting lead to the Thebans taking over Greece but they were unable to stop the invasion of the Macedonians.