Chapter 5 Section 5 The Expansion of Greece

Chapter 5 Section 5 The Expansion of Greece

Persian Empire

The Persian Wars *500 B. C. – Greeks vs. Persians *Greeks in Asia Minor rebel n-Athens: helps Greeks *Darius: Persian Ruler n-Crushes Greeks n-Wants to punish Athens: Control mainland

First Persian Invasion 494 B. C. Battle of Marathon *Athenians stop Persian invasion *Conflict continues until 490 BC *10 years of uneasy peace.

Second Persian Invasion *Xerxes: Persian Leader *480 Invades Greece *Battle of Thermopylae: *300 Spartans stop Persians –Spartans refuse to surrender –All 300 die: allowed for other Greek city states to prepare

Themistocles *Athenian leader: Creator of Greek navy *Evacuates Athens. *Battle of Salamis: turning point –Greeks destroy Persian fleet *479 BC – Athens & Sparta defeat Persians at Plataea –Ends war.

Result of Persian Wars *Persians remain a threat *Sparta: Wanted Greeks to unite under their rule. n-Fear of Helot revolt prevents this. *Athens: forms Delian League n-Alliance of 140 city-states. n-Athens build empire around the League.

Age of Pericles Athenian leader: 461 -429 BC *Golden age of Athens *Athenian democracy reached it’s height. *Built the Parthenon and Acropolis *Stability and prosperity *Use navy to keep Persians out

Parthenon of Athens

Democracy under Pericles *Male citizens could hold office –Except lowest class n Officeholders: –Paid –Chosen by lot (No advantage) *No women involvement

Pericles and the Delian League *D. L. - gains protection but loses independence. *Athenian gov’t made all decisions *Moved the Treasury to Athens. *Resentment towards Athens

Peloponnesian War n *War between Sparta & Athens – 431 B. C. n *Causes: –Old Rivals –Sparta upset over Athens control of the Delian League.

Peloponnesian War *Sparta –> Army *Siege of Athens –> Navy – Lasted 27 years – Plague broke out in Athens – Finally Blocked Athens food supply *Sparta wins: Athens=2 nd rate power *Greek political society becomes unstable