Download The Greco-Persian Wars

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The Greco-Persian Wars
(500-480 B.C.)
I. Introduction
Look at the three images and write down some words or phrases that describe each. Are there
similarities and/or differences between them? How do they make you feel?
ARGUMENT: The Greeks’ knowledge and use of their geographic environment allowed them to
defeat a much larger force of invading Persians.
II. Background
·
Most of the information we have about the wars between Persia and Greece comes from
Herodotus, who is sometimes referred to as the “Father of _________________.”
·
In 500 B.C., the city-state of Athens helped Greeks living in _________________ to revolt
against the Persians.
·
The Persian King, _____________, responded by launching an invasion of Greece in 490 B.C.
with the purpose of destroying Athens.
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III. Warfare
Name
Weapons
Shield
Armor
Greek
hoplite
Persian
“Immortal”
The Phalanx:
VIDEO CLIP:
· List some words or phrases that describe the Greek phalanx:
·
Does the phalanx have any weaknesses?
IV. Major Events
The Battle of Marathon:
·
·
In 490 B.C., the Persian army landed near the Greek village of Marathon with at least
___________________ soldiers.
The Greek army, mainly from Athens, numbered about 10,000. The Greeks were easily
outnumbered by at least _______________ to one.
·
The Greeks positioned their phalanxes between two hills, with the double purpose of both
blocking the path to Athens and _____________________________________________.
·
Using the _____________________ to their advantage, the Greeks repel the Persian attack and
the remaining Persians retreat to their ships and sail home.
-3The Battle of Thermopylae:
·
Ten years after the defeat at Marathon, Darius’ son, _______________, launched a second
invasion of Greece.
·
Xerxes’ invasion force is made up of about ________________ soldiers.
·
The relatively small Greek force, led by the Spartan king, ____________________, numbers
only 7,000 soldiers, including 300 Spartans.
VIDEO CLIP:
Why did Xerxes choose to march his troops through the narrow pass at Thermopylae?
How did the geography of the pass at Thermopylae eliminate the Persians’ numerical advantage?
The Battle of Salamis:
·
After their victory at Thermopylae, the Persians had a clear path to ________________.
·
Some Athenians wanted to stay and defend their city-state against the Persians, but the Athenian
leader, ________________________, convinced the Athenians to abandon their homes and flee.
·
The Greek navy, under the leadership of Themistocles, numbered about 375 ships. The Persian
navy, led by Xerxes, had at least _______________ ships.
·
The Greeks positioned their ships in the narrow straits near the island of Salamis. The narrow
waterways made it _____________________ for the numerous Persian ships to maneuver.
·
The Greeks used ________________________________ attached to the front of their ships to
break holes in the Persian ships, causing them to sink.
-4Complete the following table by referring to your notes above:
Battle
Marathon
# Persians
# Greeks
Who won?
Result
Thermopylae
Salamis
V. So What?
·
Greek city-states in ________________ became free from Persian rule.
·
The victory united the numerous Greek city-states and led to the formation of the
________________________________ for continued protection.
·
Allowed for the __________________________________ of Greek culture.
VI. You Make the Call
Despite being severely outnumbered, the Greeks successfully fended off two Persian invasions. The
following factors all played a role in the Greek victory:
military technology (weapons, armor, etc.)
knowledge and use of natural landscape
battle tactics (phalanx formation, etc.)
Rank these factors in order of most important to least important to the Greek victory over the Persians.
Be ready to explain your choices.
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