Persian WarsPersian Wars Cause of wars: Athenian support of Greek

colonies in Persia

Battle of Marathon: 490 BCE

Won by Athens’ phalanx, a 10 to 1 victoryRole of Pheidippides – ran 26 miles (from Marathon) to tell city of the victory, then died.

480 BCE – Second Invasion480 BCE – Second InvasionBattle of Thermopylae

Spartans and Athenians can’t stop PersiansHistoric last stand by Leonidas and 300 SpartansAthens burned

Thermopylae was the scene of the heroic death of Leonidas I and his 1400 men, 300Spartans. In their attempt to stop the Persian invasion in 480 BCE. The Greekswere betrayed by a spy who told the Persiansabout a path over the mountain, attacked theGreeks from the rear, and killed all the Spartans.The Battle of Thermopylae was recordedby the Greek historian Herodotus.

Battle of Battle of SalamisSalamis Athens navy vs. Persian

navyPersians drawn into the straits near SalamisPersians: More ships, but bigger ships trapped in the little straitsAthens Wins; Persians go home

GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE GOLDEN AGE OF GREECE 479 – 431BCE479 – 431BCE

Height of Greek culture and development

Pericles and the Delian League

Pericles

For over 20 years, at Athens' height, the city was dominated by the aloof, 'Olympian' figure of Pericles. A magnificent orator with a reputation for scrupulous honesty, Pericles deepened and extended the reforms that Cleisthenes had set in motion some 50 years before. A keen patron of learning and the arts, he masterminded the construction of the Parthenon. However, in glorifying Athens, he set it upon a collision course with Sparta that would Ultimately lead to its ruin.

Pericles as LeaderPericles as Leader• creates direct democracy • Takes over Delian League; uses

money to strengthen Athenian fleet beautify Athens

• Pericles builds the Parthenon•Classical art—values harmony,

order, balance, proportion, beauty