The Persian Wars Freedom vs Slavery Democracy vs
- Slides: 24
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 • 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 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, 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 as well…
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, 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”
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