The Persian Wars Freedom vs Slavery Democracy vs

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The Persian Wars Freedom vs Slavery? Democracy vs Tyranny? Europe vs Asia? Or empire

The Persian Wars Freedom vs Slavery? Democracy vs Tyranny? Europe vs Asia? Or empire vs empire?

Background 1) Persian Expansion: In the 500 s, the Persian Empire expanded to the

Background 1) Persian Expansion: In the 500 s, the Persian Empire expanded to the borders of Greece 2) Athenian Democracy: In 508 BC, Athens became the ‘first’ democracy in history. 3) Ionian Revolt: Greek states revolted against Persian rule between 499 -493 BC

Battle 1: Marathon When: 490 BC Where: Marathon, near Athens What: Land battle How

Battle 1: Marathon When: 490 BC Where: Marathon, near Athens What: Land battle How many? c. 11, 000 Greeks, c. 25, 000 Persian infantry and 5, 000 cavalry Who: King Darius (Persia), Datis (Persia), Miltiades (Athens), Pheidippides (Athens) Outcome: Greek victory. Persia forced to flee from Greece.

Between the Wars…Persia • • Darius swore revenge Egypt revolted in 487 BC Darius

Between the Wars…Persia • • Darius swore revenge Egypt revolted in 487 BC Darius died in 486 BC Xerxes became King and focused on restoring order in his own Kingdom • He spent 4 years raising a force of 200, 000 to invade Greece • He sent emissaries to Greece to demand submission

Persia…continued • He built 800 ships • He had a 2 km canal cut

Persia…continued • He built 800 ships • He had a 2 km canal cut through Mt Athos • He had a bridge of boats built across the Hellespont • He had ships filled with supplies, and built depots along the route to Greece • By 480, he was ready to punish the Greeks

Between the Wars…Greece • Themistocles became a prominent figure • Athens discovered large silver

Between the Wars…Greece • Themistocles became a prominent figure • Athens discovered large silver deposits • Themistocles convinced Athens to build a large navy of 200 ships • 31 Greek states met in Corinth in 481 and formed the Hellenic Alliance • Leonidas was put in charge of the Greek army

Greece…continued • The Spartan Eurybiades was put in charge of the navy • Internal

Greece…continued • The Spartan Eurybiades was put in charge of the navy • Internal disputes in Greece were suspended • Spies were sent to Persia • Ostracised citizens were recalled to help the war effort • By 480 BC, Greece was united and ready to face a Persian invasion

The Invasion – 480 BC • Xerxes gathered men from 46 nations in Asia

The Invasion – 480 BC • Xerxes gathered men from 46 nations in Asia Minor • Using two bridges made of over 300 boats each, he crossed his huge force across the Hellespont • The army spent over 3 months travelling down towards Athens • A canal was cut at Mt Athos to allow his ships through safely

Xerxes’ Route

Xerxes’ Route

The Armies Meet The Greeks planned to halt the Persian advance at Thermopylae, a

The Armies Meet The Greeks planned to halt the Persian advance at Thermopylae, a narrow pass north of Athens. Nearby was Cape Artemisium, where they could position their navy.

Battle 2: Thermopylae When: August 480 BC Where: Thermopylae Pass, Greece What: Land battle

Battle 2: Thermopylae When: August 480 BC Where: Thermopylae Pass, Greece What: Land battle How many? 300 Spartans, c. 7, 000 other Greeks, up to 200, 000 Persians Who: King Xerxes (Persia), Leonidas (Sparta), Ephialtes (Greek traitor) Outcome: Persian victory, yet the Greeks held up Xerxes’ advance for four days.

Herodotus: “Then the Hellenes put out to sea and engaged battle with them; and

Herodotus: “Then the Hellenes put out to sea and engaged battle with them; and in this battle the two sides were nearly equal to one another; for the fleet of Xerxes by reason of its great size and numbers suffered damage from itself, since the ships were thrown into confusion and ran into one another…”

Battle 3: Artemisium When: 480 BC – same time as Thermopylae Where: Artemisium, near

Battle 3: Artemisium When: 480 BC – same time as Thermopylae Where: Artemisium, near Thermopylae What: Naval battle How many? c. 300 Greek triremes, c. 200 Persian ships Who: Eurybiades (Sparta) Outcome: After several indecisive encounters, the Greeks withdrew on news of the defeat at Thermopylae

Athens is evacuated • The defeat at Thermopylae forced the Greeks to reconsider their

Athens is evacuated • The defeat at Thermopylae forced the Greeks to reconsider their strategy • Themistocles convinced his people to evacuate Athens to lure the Persians south • He argued that they should rely on their naval forces to defeat the Persians, as they were heavily outnumbered on the ground

Themistocles’ masterstroke His plan was to force a naval battle in the narrow straits

Themistocles’ masterstroke His plan was to force a naval battle in the narrow straits at Salamis… and destroy the Persian fleet of 800 triremes… Bold but potentially brilliant…

Battle 4: Salamis When: September, 480 BC Where: Salamis Island, near Athens What: Naval

Battle 4: Salamis When: September, 480 BC Where: Salamis Island, near Athens What: Naval battle How many? C. 380 Greek triremes, c. 800 Persian ships Who: King Xerxes (Persia), Themistocles (Athens), Eurybiades (Sparta) Outcome: Decisive Greek victory. Xerxes withdrew ready to fight again the following year.

The Turning Point • 390 ships were hidden behind a promontory off the island

The Turning Point • 390 ships were hidden behind a promontory off the island of Salamis. • Themistocles sent a false message to Xerxes, saying the Greeks were trying to escape and to send the fleet immediately. • Xerxes sent 200 Egyptian vessels to the other end of the bay and the rest of the fleet were ordered into the narrow strait off Salamis. • Greeks attacked. Persians confused and could not manoeuvre their boats. • Persians were totally defeated.

Aeschylus: “Forward, sons of the Greeks, Liberate the fatherland, liberate Your children, your women,

Aeschylus: “Forward, sons of the Greeks, Liberate the fatherland, liberate Your children, your women, the altars of the gods of your fathers And the graves of your forebears: Now is the fight for everything.

Winter break… • The two sides broke off for winter, in order to regroup

Winter break… • The two sides broke off for winter, in order to regroup • Xerxes, humiliated, returned to Persia • He left Mardonius to finish the war in 479 BC • He chose Plataea for the final showdown • Athens convinced Sparta to join with them again for battle

Battle 5: Plataea When: August, 479 BC Where: Plataea, southern Greece What: Land battle

Battle 5: Plataea When: August, 479 BC Where: Plataea, southern Greece What: Land battle How many? c. 40, 000 Greeks, c. 50 -100, 000 Persians Who: Mardonius (Persia), Pausanias (Sparta), Aristides (Athens) Outcome: Greek victory. Mardonius killed, Persian forces fled toward Persia.

Herodotus: “so long as Mardonius survived, they held out against them, and defending themselves,

Herodotus: “so long as Mardonius survived, they held out against them, and defending themselves, they cast down many of the Lacedemonians; but when Mardonius was slain…then the others too turned and gave way before the Lacedemonians…since in truth they were contending light-armed against hoplites”

The End… • On the same day, the Greeks finished off the Persian navy

The End… • On the same day, the Greeks finished off the Persian navy as well…

Battle 6: Mycale When: August, 479 BC, same time as Plataea Where: Mycale, Ionia

Battle 6: Mycale When: August, 479 BC, same time as Plataea Where: Mycale, Ionia (modern Turkey) What: ‘Amphibious’ assault How many? c. 6, 000 Greeks and 100 ships, c. 50, 000 Persians and 300 ships Who: King Leotychides (Sparta) Outcome: Greek victory. Persian force defeated and fleet destroyed. Greeks returned to mainland.

Herodotus: “so long as Mardonius survived, they held out against them, and defending themselves,

Herodotus: “so long as Mardonius survived, they held out against them, and defending themselves, they cast down many of the Lacedemonians; but when Mardonius was slain…then the others too turned and gave way before the Lacedemonians…since in truth they were contending light-armed against hoplites”