Download Ancient Greece Persian Wars

The Persian Wars
Main Ideas:
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That alliances between city-states got the Ancient Greeks into the Persian War, but was also
the solution to their survival
Successful military strategy allowed the Greeks to survive from a much more powerful
Persian army
FIRST PERSIAN WAR:
As you know, Ancient Greece was a strong and powerful non-unified collection of city-states. However,
they were not the only power in the region. At the time the Persian Empire (which was a monarchy) was
a strong empire growing in the Middle East. They spent many years expanding and unifying the Middle
East under one ruler. Some of the regions were somewhat accepting of joining the Persian Empire while
others were not too thrilled to do so. The Persians were actually tolerant and accepting of many of the
city-states/civilizations/peoples they took over. Conquered areas could believe in their own gods and
govern themselves so long as they offered tribute (recognition of Persian Emperor and payment) to the
Persian Empire. For those areas that were not thrilled with the Persian Empire being their leader, they
would either have to get powerful friends or not upset the strong Persian military.
This is where the conflict begins. There was a region in Asia Minor (Turkey) across the Aegean Sea from
Athens called Ionia. This area was part of controlled by the Persian Empire. Ionia, which had been taken
over twenty years before by the Persians, started a revolt against the leadership of the empire. Ionia was
close to the Greeks asked for Athens’ help in the revolt. Athens was more than happy to assist and
decided to send military ships to aid Ionia. This action made Athens an enemy of the Persian Empire.
The Persians eventually put down the revolt, but they were not happy with Athens and spent a long time
seeking revenge. Revenge comes with the beginning of the Persian Wars.
In 490 BC, the Persian leader Darius sent a large fleet to the Greek city-states in order to get revenge
against Athens. Although Persia was very strong, Athens was a strong navy power. To avoid the navy,
Darius decided the battle was going to be on Greek land. When Persia landed near Athens on the Plain of
Marathon, they were waiting for a chance to attack the city. Unfortunately for them, they were attacked
early by Athenian Army before advancing anywhere. After the victory, legends say that a messenger ran
the 26 miles to Athens to share the news of the victory over Persia. He ran up to the agora of Athens,
yelled “Nike” (the goddess of victory) and died on the spot of exhaustion. This runner was named
Pheidippides.
SECOND PERSIAN WAR
Persia was defeated, but it would not forget this embarrassing defeat. Years later, Darius’ son Xerxes
would become a problem for Greece. He returned in 480 BC to exact revenge. He had plans to take over
Athens and the entire Greek region. Athens knew that this time the larger Persian army would not forget
about their loss and the embarrassment to Xerxes’ father, and would attack Athens by force with
overwhelming numbers. Seeking to save time, Xerxes and the Persian army built a mile-long bridge of
boats across the Bosporus (Water near Dardanelles today – separates Asia from Europe) to get the land
army to Greece faster. Had they not done it would have taken two extra years going around the Black
Sea.
Knowing the threat, many city-states such as Athens (direct democracy, but using military leaders in
times of war) and Sparta (oligarchy, with the king directing the military) decided to work together.
Athens would run the navy and Sparta would run the army. The big battle where the two worked together
would take place at Thermopylae, a small mountain pass where the Greeks would have the advantage. A
small number of Greeks, led by the Spartan King Leonidas, would hold off the strong Persian army given
time for the other city-states to prepare for battle. They were successful until a combination of a traitor
giving Xerxes a path around the Spartans and a retreat by other Greeks. These two things would lead to
the Persians eventually winning the battle. At the time, Athens had successfully held off the Persian navy
which gave Leonidas and his 300 Spartans (and appx. 700 other warriors from Thespia) a chance, but
they could not stop the Persians after Xerxes got word that there was a pass around the mountain.
The Persian army eventually went to Athens and burned the city, but the leaders of the city were prewarned and ordered an evacuation of the people and military prior to the Persians arrival. Even with all
this, the Greeks would have the last laugh. The Persian navy was travelling through a small strait when
they were attacked by the Athenian navy. While still larger and stronger than the Athenian navy (and
stationed far from Athens), the Persians became trapped and were easily destroyed by the Athenians. By
the end of these battles, Xerxes decided that his army and navy were too weakened to continue fighting
and they left the Greek city-states. The Persian Wars were now over, but the Greek city-states were
weakened tremendously as a result.
Questions: Answer on right side page
1. What were the causes of the Persian Wars?
2. Who were the Persian leaders who attacked and how did they do so? What were the end results of
each?
3. Why did the Greek city-states decide to unite against the Persian invasion?
4. Even though others fought with the Spartans at Thermopylae, why is it that only the 300 Spartans
are remembered for fighting and dying there?
5. Why were the Greek city-states weakened as a result of the Persian Wars?