Download THE PERSIAN WARS

THE PERSIAN WARS
While Greek city-states were flourishing in the 500 B.C’s., a
monster was approaching from the east.
The Persian Empire was the largest empire by
geographical extent during ancient times. At their height,
the Persian Empire controlled roughly 45% of the world’s
population. Tiny Greece was constantly threatened by the
Persia’s growing empire, which now had its sight set on
the Greek homeland.
WARS DON’T JUST START…THERE ARE ALWAYS EVENTS THAT LEAD
TO THE OUTBREAK OF WAR.
In 545 B.C., the Persians acquired land near
the Ionian coast.
Greek city-states would not risk sending
armed forces to aid the Greek territories in
the area.
Sparta sent messengers to talk to the Persian
Emperor, Cyrus. His response; “Who are
the Spartans.”
In 514 B.C., the Persian Empire advanced west and conquered areas in Thrace and Macedonia.
This was alarming to the Greek city-states as now Persian forces were at the doorstep of Greece.
In 499 B.C., the crisis began to spiral out of control.
• Greek territories on the Ionian coast began to revolt against Persian rule.
• Athens sent military aid to help their fellow Greeks.
• The Persians put down the rebellion.
• Athens was now a main target for the enraged Persians.
In 490 B.C., at the advice of the expelled Athenian
leader, Hippias, who was working with the
Persians, the new emperor Darius decided it was
time to launch the Persians offensive towards the
Greek homeland.
A Persian fleet of 600 ships left the Ionian coast and set out
across the Aegean sea. They set up camp at Marathon Bay,
a mere 25 miles away from Athens. What will happen next will
go down as one of ancient history’s most important battles.
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AFTER MARATHON
• Defeated Emperor Darius I and his military forces sail back to
Persia. Their intent is to now launch a massive force against
the Greeks to avenge their loss at Marathon.
• Due to failing health, Darius I dies in 486 B.C. His son,
Xerxes, takes the thrown as Emperor of Persia.
• Xerxes’ goal is to avenge his father’s defeat and to expand the
Persian Empire.
• Xerxes spent four years planning his attack, building the fleet,
and assembling troops.
• When news of his massive army spread across Greece, weaker
city-states submitted immediately to Persian rule, fearing all
out annihilation.
• Xerxes had assembled the largest army ever seen.
PAN-Hellenic Congress
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This threat of invasion brought together Greek
city-states that would not submit.
They met at Corinth in 481 B.C., where the plan
was ultimately made to abandon territories in
northern Greece.
The Greeks debated and considered retreating
down to Corinth and abandoning Athens.
Finally a plan was devised to send a military force
to defend a pass at Thermopylae.
The Greeks then ran into a problem. At this time
the Spartans were within a religious festival, and
the Olympics were beginning, meaning that all
Greeks had to lay down arms.
THE DECISION
• Sparta would send a military
force of 300 men led by King
Leonidas.
• Other Greek city-states
contributed troops leading to a
military force of nearly 7,000
men.
480 B.C.
Xerxes forces advance and meet
the Greek forces at an area known
as the “Hot Gates”. The pass at
Thermopylae.
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After Thermopylae, Xerxes forces marched on and destroyed
the Greek city-state of Athens.
When Xerxes forces arrived however, the found the city to be
abandoned.
The Persian forces eventually met Athenian and other Greek
forces in a naval battle at Salamis.
THE GREEK VICTORY AT SALAMIS
ENDED ALL REALISTIC CHANCES FOR A
PERSIAN VICTORY.
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