Download Persia Attacks the Greeks

PERSIA ATTACKS THE GREEKS
TERMS TO UNDERSTAND
Satrapies—provinces of Persia
 Satrap—ruled each satrapies—”protector of the
kingdom”
 Zoroastrianism—Persian Religion. Believed in
one God—humans had the freedom to choose
between right and wrong and that goodness
would triumph in the end

RISE OF PERSIA

Persia—modern day southwestern Iran

Persia were nomads and warriors

Cyrus the Great (559 BC to 530 BC)—united
Persia into a powerful kingdom.
RISE OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

Beginning in 539 BC—Persia gained control of:
 Northern

Mesopotamia
Asia Minor
 Syria
 Canaan
 Phoenician
cities
Other leaders gained control of: Egypt, western India,
and Thrace (northern region of Greece)
PERSIAN GOVERNMENT

Darius—521 BC

20 Satrapies ruled by Satraps

Had a paid army—full-time army

10,000 protected the king called the Immortals
PERSIAN RELIGION

Zoroaster—born 660 BC

Found Zoroastrianism
 Monotheistic
 Good
and Evil
 Humans had freedom to choose between right and
wrong
 In the end, goodness will triumph
PERSIAN WARS

Persia took over Greek Colonies in Asia Minor

499 BC, Athenian army helped the Greeks colonies rebel against the
Persians.

King Darius decided to take over the mainland of Greece as a result.
BATTLE OF MARATHON

490 BC—20,000 Persian soldiers landed on the plains of Marathon

Persians waited, but Athenians did not fight

As the Persians loaded back onto their ships to sail south, the Athenians
attacked.

Pheidippides—messenger sent by the Athenians back to Athens to deliver the
news 25 miles away.

Modern day Marathons are named for this famous run
MORE PERSIAN STRIKES

480 BC—Xerxes (Darius son), vowed revenge against the Athenians

Launched an invasion of Greece with 180,000 soldiers, warships, and
supply vessels

Greeks joined forces, including King Leonidas and the Spartans along with
the Athenians and their general Themistocles
BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE

Greeks needed to cut off Persian
supplies as the Persians marched
south.

7, 000 Greek soldiers tried to
block the Persians at a narrow
pass named Thermopylae

A Greek traitor tipped off their
location to the Persians

Legend of the Spartan 300 and
King Leonidas
Battle of Salamis

Greek fleet attacked the
Persians at the Strait of
Salamis

Strait—narrow strip of water
between two pieces of land

Greek ships were smaller,
faster, and easier to steer
through tight spaces

Persians marched on to
Athens and burned the city
Battle at Plataea

Largest Army ever
assembled by the Greeks

Defeated the Persians with
solid body armor, longer
spears, and better training

Persians retreated back to
Asia Minor
Fall of the Persian Empire
Greed
 High Taxes
 Revenge
 Murder
 Rebellions
