The Persian Wars (492—449 BC)

The Persian Wars (492—

449 BC)

Background• Persia=Iran today• Great military state• Leader: Cyrus the Great (580—529 BC)• Took over Asia Minor in 546 BC.• Athenians upset cause of colonies there—revolts

occur.• Darius I (550—486 BC) hated the Greeks. He sent

messengers warning of an attack.• 9 years planning for one.• The Athenians asked the Spartans for help if the

Persians attacked.• They both then ignored the Persian warnings.

Cyrus the Great

Darius I

• 490 BC—Persians attack Greeks.• Battle of Marathon (WIN for Greeks)• 20000 Persians vs. 10000 Athenians.• Persians land on Plains of Marathon, 26 miles

from Athens.• Pheidippides sent to Sparta requesting help.• “Rejoice! We are victorious.”• Sparta could not help because of a helot revolt.• Miltiades (Milt tee add eez) uses hoplites to attack

Persians.• Result: 6400 Persians killed, 192 Athenians.• Persians went to out to sea… and waited!

The Battle of Marathon

Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)• Sparta agrees to help Athens after seeing

the Persians can be defeated.Spartans• Themistocles (Them miss stock a leez) new

general.• Army up to 150 000 soldiers strong, with

aid from Sparta. They built 200 ships. Persia had 500 ships.

• Persia had a new leader, Xerxes. He was arrogant, even had a golden throne.

• Greeks to meet the Persians at the narrow passage of Thermopylae.

The Battle of Thermopylae

• 7300 Greeks at the passage.

• A traitor led the Persians around the Greeks.

• The 7300 were killed.

• Persians “sacked and burned” Athens.

Battle of Salamis Bay (Sept 4, 480 BC)• Greeks ships were

waiting in Salamis Bay.

• Persian ships too large to enter through straights. They ran into each other and sank.

• Persians turned around and retreated. The Greeks followed for a year.

Battle of Salamis Bay

• 479 BC: 60 000 Greeks destroyed 80 000 Persians at Mycale in Persia.

• How were they successful?1. They were more organized2. They were determined not to be ruled by foreigners3. They were unified

• Greeks now have complete control of the Aegean world, forming the first global power.

• Trade flourished and the power and culture of the Greeks becomes recognized.

• The Greeks now have a strong sense of unity for the first time in their history.

• This becomes known as the Golden Age of Greece.