Download The importance of Greek unity in the Persian Wars

How important was unity to the Greek states in their victory over the
Persians?
Unity was crucial to the Greeks in the two Persian Wars – particularly the Second, which
was a two year campaign. Without it they could never have mustered sufficient forces to
take on the might of Persia, nor continue to resist long enough to win. Even so, other factors
were also important. The Greeks had better tactics and equipment, better leadership, a
greater sense of purpose, and had the advantage of the country’s peculiar geography.
In the First Persian War, the Athenians were largely on their own against Darius’ army.
When they realized the Persians were disembarking their forces at Marathon, they
dispatched a runner to Sparta requesting assistance, but it was late in coming due to a
Spartan religious festival. In the meantime, Miltiades persuaded the Assembly to send
troops to Marathon to block the two routes leading south.
In the battle that followed, 11,000 Greeks defeated Darius’ force of 30,000 men. The
Athenians then marched back to their capital to face the Persian naval flotilla. When the
Persians arrived, they realized they could not take the city, so returned to Asia Minor.
Greece was saved by the efforts of Athens and its general, Miltiades.
The same would not be possible during the Second Persian War. This time the Persians
brought the largest army ever assembled, plus a fleet of many hundred ships. It would take
a united effort on the part of the Greeks to repulse them.
Mercifully, Athens had made adequate preparations. Themistocles realised that the
Greeks could not muster enough troops to defeat Xerxes’ army on land, so decided to fight
the Persians at sea – cutting their supply lines. He persuaded the Athenian Assembly to
construct a fleet of 200 triremes, then called on other Greek states to resist. But achieving
unity was not easy; already, half the Greek states had surrendered to Xerxes, fearing the
consequences if they did not. Even so, in 481 BC 31 states put aside their disputes and
formed the Hellenic League. Sparta was given leadership of both the army and navy. For the
sake of unity, Themistocles agreed to serve under his Spartan counterpart.
The Hellenic League’s strategy was to use its land and sea forces to stop the Persians from
advancing down the coast of Greece. The Persian army would be blocked at Thermopylae,
while the navy would be blocked at Artemisium. If they two could be kept apart, the army
would have to withdraw through lack of supplies. Unfortunately, the plan came unstuck
when the Greeks were betrayed. But King Leonidas turned a military defeat into a political
victory by his famous last stand. This inspired the Greek states to remain united.
The Greeks now retreated to Salamis, and debated what to do next. Eurybiades wanted to
sail for the Isthmus of Corinth, but Themistocles argued that Salamis was the best place to
make a stand, as the narrow strait would give the Greeks an advantage. After considerable
argument and a threat by Themistocles to quit the Hellenic League, Eurybiades relented.
The resultant battle was a triumph for the Greeks – exactly as Themistocles had predicted.
By remaining united behind his leadership, they had defeated their more powerful enemy.
With his navy now destroyed or having deserted him, Xerxes could no longer supply his
army and was forced to retreat to Asia Minor. The force he left behind created havoc in
Greece, but could not invade the Peloponnese without the support of a fleet, and was
eventually defeated by Pausanias at Plataea. The Second Persian War was over.
Hence it can be seen that the Greeks achieved victory in the two Persian Wars for a variety
of reasons: their equipment was superior; their leadership was better; they had stronger
sense of purpose than the Persians; and they made better use of Greece’s narrow passes
and straits. However, none of these factors would have enough had they not maintained
their unity. This was key to victory.