Download The Greeks Go To War

The Greeks Go To
War
A Battle of survival
against the PERSIANS!!!
Persian Wars (499–449 B.C.)


The Ionian Greek cities in western Asia Minor
revolted unsuccessfully against the Persians in
499 B.C.
Darius, the Persian ruler, sought revenge.





In 490 B.C., the outnumbered Athenians
defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon
Xerxes vowed revenge
Greeks United
Xerxes invaded with a massive army: 180,000
troops
Seven thousand Greeks held them off for two
days at the pass of Thermopylae


Athenians defeat Persians at sea, near island of
Salamis.
Victories at Salamis and Plataea force Persian
retreat.
Importance of the Persian Wars




Greek city-states joined together to form the
DELIAN LEAGUE.
Athens emerged as the leader and preserved
independence.
“Golden AGE of Pericles” of Greece
Greece controlled the Aegean Sea
Peloponnesian War (431–404 B.C.)



Many Greeks resented the Athenian domination.
The Greek world split into rival camps.
To counter the Delian League, Sparta and other
enemies of Athens formed the Peloponnesian
League.




After a series of disputes, the Great
Peloponnesian War broke out in 431 B.C.
War lasts for 27 years
Plague occurs and kills Pericles of Athens
Athens was finally defeated in 405 B.C.
Importance of the Peloponnesian
War

Weakened Athens and Sparta, setting the stage
for Macedonian conquests of Greece and the
end of Greek democracy
Age of Pericles

Textbook pg. 123, #3

Read pgs. 121-122 “The Athenian Empire”