1. The Persian Wars
B.C.

2. King Darius of Persia demanded gifts of “earth and water” from Greece.
Most city-states obeyed.
Athens and Sparta did not- they killed the messengers.

4. Usually Greek city-states were divided.
But they worked together to fight Persia.

5. Persians had conquered a huge empire stretching from Asia Minor to India.
Also controlled Greek city state of Ionia.
Ionians rebelled and Athens sent ships to help them.

6. Persians crushed the rebel cities.
Darius became mad at Athens.
Sent army to punish them.

7. Troops landed at Marathon. (north of Athens)
Athens asked for aid from other city states but received little support.
Defeated the Persians.

8. Leader of Athens had them build a fleet of warships.
Darius died, but his son sent a larger force to Athens.
This time Sparta joined Athens.

9. Spartans were defeated.
Went to Athens and burned it - Athenians had left.
Lured Persians into water - Athenian navy defeated them.

10. The next year Athens defeated Persians on land.
Marked the end of Persian invasions.
Because of the unity- Greek city-states had saved themselves from the Persians.

11. Importance of the Persian War
United Athens and Sparta against the Persian Empire.
Athenian victories gave Greeks control of Aegean Sea.
Athens preserved its independence.

12. Delian League Athens emerged as most powerful city-state.
Organized Delian League - alliance with other city states.
Athens dominated the league.

13. Pericles After the Persian War was a golden age for Athens.
Called Age of Pericles after their leader.
Athens was a direct democracy during this time.
Assembly met several times a month - needed 6,000 members to present to vote.

14. He extended democracy to all male citizens.
Started to pay stipend (fixed income) to men who held office.
Could vote to banish public figures they saw as a threat - called ostracism.

15. Had Athens rebuilt.
Rebuilt acropolis.
Parthenon is an example of his reconstruction.

16. Peloponnesian War
To counter the Delian League Sparta formed Peloponnesian league.
Sparta- oligarchy, Athens – democracy
War broke out in 431 B.C.
Lasted 27 years.

17. War caused in part by competition for control.
Spartans eventually win.
Did not destroy Athens though.
Ends Athens domination.

18. Importance of the Peloponnesian War
Slowed the cultural advance of the Greeks.
Weakened political power in Greece.