Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Pontus (region) wikipedia , lookup
Spartan army wikipedia , lookup
Pontic Greeks wikipedia , lookup
Ancient Greek religion wikipedia , lookup
Ancient Greek literature wikipedia , lookup
Corinthian War wikipedia , lookup
Peloponnesian War wikipedia , lookup
First Peloponnesian War wikipedia , lookup
Ionian Revolt wikipedia , lookup
Second Persian invasion of Greece wikipedia , lookup
ANCHIST(102(Notes( 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 ( 1( ANCHIST(102(Notes( The Persian Wars: ( • 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. • 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: 2( ANCHIST(102(Notes( • • • • • • • • • • 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. ( 3( ANCHIST(102(Notes( • • 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. ( • 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. • 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. 4(