1. The Persian Wars

2. Basic Overview Persian Wars = two Persian invasions of Greece
Incredibly, the Greeks are victorious
Represents unification of Greek city states
Unusual (geography = separation)
Huge contrast: vast empire vs. scattered city states

3. Origins
Starting in 550, Persia had begun to expand into an enormous empire
Cyrus the Great, Cambyses, and Darius = especially influential Persian kings
Stretched from India to Turkey
Believed in divine right to rule
Greek city states had been developing in relative isolation
Greater independence, politically

4. Origins
Mid-500s BC: Persia conquered western Greek city states (Asia Minor)
499 BC: Greeks rebel against Persians (Ionian revolt)
Appeal to mainland Greeks for help Athens provides aid
Revolt crushed, but Persians desire revenge

5. 490 BC: The First Persian Invasion
King Darius brought army across Aegean to Greece
Diverse force from across empire
Especially strong cavalry and archery forces
Victory at Euboea  moved on to Attica
Landed at Marathon (goal: reach Athens)

6. 490 BC: The Battle of Marathon
10,000 Greeks vs. 25,000 Persians
primarily Athenians
Spartans delayed by religious festival
Greeks fought as hoplite soldiers in phalanx formation (“moving wall”)
Miltiades led Athenians to unlikely victory by encircling Persian force
Exhausted Greek forces ran back to protect Athens

7. 490-480 BC: Greek Preparations
First Persian invasion repelled— Darius planned another expedition
Greeks aware of Persians’ possible return
Formed defense alliance of city states, led by Sparta (and Athens)
Many city states “Medized” or joined the Persians
Themistocles of Athens urged the building of a navy to better combat sea attack

8. 481/480 BC: The Second Persian Invasion
Darius’ son, Xerxes, led Persian attack
Combined land and sea attack
Several hundred thousand soldiers
Supply problem: how to feed everyone?
Access to heart of Greece required going through pass of Thermopylae

9. 480 BC: Battle of Thermopylae
Land component of dual defense
Sea force also at Artemisium
Diverse Greek force—most elite group was 300 Spartiates led by King Leonidas
Greeks outnumbered
Narrowness of pass allowed Greeks to hold it for a while
Greeks lose due to Greek informer
Spartans make final stand—all killed

10. 480 BC: Battle of Salamis
After loss at Thermopylae, forces at Artemisium retreated to Salamis
Athens evacuated  captured by Persians
Athenians use navy to lead sea battle at Salamis
Outmaneuvered Persian triremes
Trireme: ancient ship, rower power, fast, powerful
Greek victory = Xerxes’ withdrawal

11. 480 BC: Battle of Plataea Final major land battle of the Persian Wars
Primarily led by Spartans (sent huge force)
Greeks won as result of manipulating the terrain
Lured Persians into foothills (better for Greek infantry rather than Persian cavalry)
Victory marked effective end of Persian Wars

12. Outcome Increased Greek confidence
Preserved Greek culture from outside control
Lingering fears of Persian return
Tension between Athens and Sparta
Athens soon overtook Spartan leadership (naval power)
Sets stage for Peloponnesian War