Download Table of Contents The Persian Wars: .....................................................

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Table of Contents
The Persian Wars: .........................................................2
The Peloponnesian Wars ...............................................6
Sparta ............................................................................11
Philip II and the Rise of Macedon ..............................14
Alexander the Great ....................................................17
Key Greek Primary Sources .......................................19
Aristotle ......................................................................19
Aristophanes ..............................................................20
Herodotus ...................................................................21
Homer .........................................................................22
Xenophon ...................................................................23
Thucydides .................................................................25
Plutarch ......................................................................26
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The Persian Wars:
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Causes
o Ionian Revolt of 499 BC. Aristagoras the tyrant of Miletus united the
Ionians in a revolt against Persian Rule. The Ionians could not secure
Spartan support under King Cleomenes however Athens was willing to
aid them. Allied forces were defeated. There were a number of
consequences relating to this incident however.
! Athens became wary of Persian threat after their destruction of
Miletus and realised this may occur in Greek cities nearer to
Athens.
! Sardis, the capital of the western Persian Empire was burnt, and
Darius now saw revenge on Greece for this act as necessary.
! The Treaty between Persia and Athens of 508 BC had clearly
been repudiated by Athens and Darius may have taken offence
to this and sought to re-enforce his superiority over Athens and
make a statement to other satrapies contemplating revolt.
o The Persian Empire was expansionist by nature and sought to
continuously expand its borders. Greece was the next stepping stone in
its path in their thirst to add new territory. Greece was thought to be an
easier target than India to the East.
o The Persian Empire was held together largely through fear of the
leaders like Darius and Xerxes. The Ionian revolt could not be let slide
as this may encourage future rebellions in other parts of the Empire.
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Key Battles
o The Battle at Marathon
! Large Persian fleet landed at Marathon. Spartan support was
unavailable to the rest of the Greeks possibly due to religious
reasons.
! Greek strategy and decision to wage war at Marathon due to the
strategos Miltiades.
! Greek hoplites charged Persian forces and won the battle
decisively.
! Key factors in their being victorious:
• Hoplite army was better disciplined under the
leadership of Miltiades despite being outnumbered.
• Better equipped men, with longer spears and better
armour against the Persian light infantry.
• Absence of the Persian cavalry.
• Herodotus stresses the Greeks were fighting for their
freedom and thus fought more valiantly than the
Persians.
! Aftermath of The Battle of Marathon:
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Athenian reputation greatly boosted and Greek
confidence greatly increased.
Miltiades assumes role of hero and is greatly praised.
Persians could not accept dent to their prestige and
prepare for a second invasion, this time with more
respect for the hoplite phalanx.
Miltiades was impeached and died soon after Marathon
with his son Cimon coming to power in Athenian
politics.
Athens recognised importance of strong military
leadership and so office of Strategoi became key public
office.
Theory of ostracism introduced.
Xerxes bridged the Hellespont so as to avoid potential
shipwreck. Herodotus sees this act as highly arrogant.
Rise of Themistocles in place of Miltiades.
Huge silver find at Laurium sees Athens own over 200
triremes by 480 BC. New class of rowers formed by
this.
Formation of the Hellenic League against Persia with
Sparta commanding land and sea troops.
o The Battle of Thermopylae
! One of the three choke points into Greece.
! Troops led by King Leonidas and the 300 Spartans.
! Bought the Greeks valuable time to assemble their forces.
! Persians eventually break through the pass and reach and
raze Athens to the ground while the Athenians have been
evacuated.
o The Battle of Salamis
! Themistocles’ plans to increase Athenian navy came to the
fore.
! False note from Themistocles to Xerxes convinced Xerxes
to attack Greek fleet when a delay may have seen him win
through default.
! Narrow straights of Salamis saw the heavier and less
manoeuvrable Greek fleet defeat the Persian fleet.
Herodotus again argues for Greeks fighting for their
freedom and Greeks could also swim to safety minimising
losses whereas Persians could not swim.
! Aftermath and consequences of Salamis:
• Persian supply route broken.
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Xerxes executed Phoenician captains causing
dissent and weakening his naval capabilities.
Xerxes retreated with remainder of fleet to the
Hellespont.
o The Battle of Plataea:
! Spring of 479 BC, around 35,000 Greek hoplites vs. 70.000
Persians.
! Resounding Greek victory again with the hoplite phalanx
proving successful.
! Aftermath of Plataea:
• Full Persian retreat back to Persia.
• Domino effect for beginning of Persian fall from
dominance.
• Greece as a state assumes more dominance in the
Aegean.
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Recurring factors in Greek victory:
o Greeks cutting off supply routes of Persians.
o Strength of, and investment into, the Athenian and Aegina navies.
o Persians fighting a multi-pronged war with rebellions occurring in
Babylon and Egypt during Greco-Persian Wars.
o Arrogance or hubris of Persian leaders Darius and Xerxes.
o Success of the Greek hoplite army.
o Greeks fighting for their freedom rather than for Persian despotism.
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Consequences, aftermath and historical significance of the Persian Wars:
o Notion of Total War introduced for the first time with all areas of
society being involved, thus a desire for peace immediately after
war.
o Formation of the Delian and Peloponnesian Leagues, arguably
creating foundation stones already for future conflict. Hellenic
League crumbled away as a result of these two Leagues.
o Athenian prestige soars and now respected for their naval
superiority, which sees them gain greater ascendency in terms of
trade. Assume the mantle of saviour of Greece and democracy seen
to triumph over tyranny thus heavy democratic influence from this
point forward.
o Athenian fortifications greatly increased, “Long Walls” of Athens
built.
o Conservative resurgence of leadership saw Themistocles ostracized
and the rise of Pericles who was free to reshape Athens following
its destruction by Persia.
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