The Persian Wars began when Cyrus the Great established the Achaemenid Empire, conquering lands in Asia Minor. This expansion led to conflict with Greek city-states, culminating in the Ionian Revolt and subsequent Persian invasions of Greece.

Key battles like Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea shaped the wars. Greeks used clever tactics and terrain to overcome Persian numbers, ultimately preserving their independence and ushering in Athens' Golden Age.

Causes of the Persian Wars

Causes of Persian Wars

• Cyrus the Great established the Achaemenid Persian Empire (r. 559-530 BCE) by conquering Lydia, Babylon, and parts of Asia Minor
• Darius I further expanded the empire (r. 522-486 BCE) by conquering Thrace and Macedonia and attempting to conquer the Greek city-states
• Greek city-states in Ionia (western coast of Asia Minor) were under Persian rule, leading to the Ionian Revolt (499-493 BCE)
  • Aristagoras, tyrant of Miletus, led a rebellion against Persian control and sought help from mainland Greece (Athens and Eretria)
  • Persians eventually crushed the revolt, resulting in the destruction of Miletus (494 BCE)
• Persian desire for revenge and to prevent future Greek interference in their empire motivated their invasion of Greece

Key battles in Persian Wars

• Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
  • Persian forces led by Datis and Artaphernes faced the Athenian army led by Miltiades
  • Athenians used hoplite phalanx formation (heavy infantry with shields and spears) and charged Persian lines, catching them off guard
  • Athenian victory resulted in Persians retreating to ships
• Battle of Thermopylae (480 BCE)
  • Persian army led by Xerxes I faced Greek forces led by Spartan king Leonidas
  • Greeks held narrow mountain pass to bottleneck and delay Persian advance
  • Persians eventually found alternate route, outflanking Greeks, and Leonidas and his 300 Spartans fought to the death
• Battle of Salamis (480 BCE)
  • Persian navy led by Xerxes I faced Greek fleet led by Athenian general Themistocles
  • Greeks lured Persians into narrow strait where Persian ships couldn't maneuver effectively
  • Greek ships, smaller and more agile, outmaneuvered Persians resulting in a decisive Greek victory and heavy damage to the Persian fleet
• Battle of Plataea (479 BCE)
  • Persian army led by Mardonius faced Greek forces led by Spartan general Pausanias
  • Greeks employed feigned retreat tactic to draw Persians into unfavorable terrain
  • Greek hoplites proved superior in close combat resulting in a decisive Greek victory, effectively ending the Persian Wars

Strategies in Persian-Greek conflicts

• Persians
  • Relied on vast numbers and resources of their empire
  • Employed cavalry and archers
  • Sought to overwhelm Greeks with sheer force
• Greeks
  • Utilized hoplite phalanx formation (heavy infantry with shields and spears)
  • Took advantage of terrain (narrow passes, straits) to negate Persian numerical advantage
  • Employed tactics like feigned retreat to draw Persians into unfavorable positions
  • Superior naval maneuverability and tactics (ramming, boarding)

Impact of Greek victory

• Preserved Greek independence and culture by preventing Persian domination of the Greek city-states
• Increased prestige and influence of Athens as it emerged as a major naval power
  • Led to the formation of the Delian League (alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens)
• Ushered in the Golden Age of Athens, a period of cultural, political, and economic flourishing
  • Development of Athenian democracy
  • Artistic and architectural achievements (Parthenon)
• Shifted the balance of power among Greek city-states with the rise of Athens and Sparta as dominant powers
  • Laid the groundwork for future conflicts (Peloponnesian War)