THE PERSIAN WARS While Greek city-states were flourishing in the 500 B.C’s., a monster was approaching from the east. The Persian Empire was the largest empire by geographical extent during ancient times. At their height, the Persian Empire controlled roughly 45% of the world’s population. Tiny Greece was constantly threatened by the Persia’s growing empire, which now had its sight set on the Greek homeland. Cyrus the Great is known as the first king in world history to have the suffix of “Great” attached to his name.

https://safeshare.tv/x/ss5a8448f6b17c4 THE PERSIAN EMPIRE: Military Force Because of the vast amount of land under the control of the empire, Persian kings could field armies that were massive. Some historical estimates claim the Persian army could consisted upwards of 300,000 men, highlighted by the elite fighting force, The Immortals, whose numbers were said to never drop below 10,000 strong. WARS DON’T JUST START…THERE ARE ALWAYS EVENTS THAT LEAD TO THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. In 545 B.C., the Persians acquired land near the Ionian coast.

Greek city-states would not risk sending armed forces to aid the Greek territories in the area.

Sparta sent messengers to talk to the Persian Emperor, Cyrus warning him to keep way from the Greek main home land. His response; “Who are the Spartans?” In 514 B.C., the Persian Empire advanced west and conquered areas in Thrace and . https://safeshare.tv/x/hM5B75hrIKc This was alarming to the Greek city-states as now Persian forces were at the doorstep of Greece.

In 499 B.C., the crisis began to spiral out of control. • Greek territories on the Ionian coast began to revolt against Persian rule. Persian • sent military aid to help their fellow Greeks. conquered Greek • In 493 the Persians put down the rebellion. territories • Athens was now a main target for the enraged Persians. In 490 B.C., at the advice of the expelled Athenian leader, Hippias, who was working with the Persians, the new emperor Darius decided it was time to launch the Persians offensive towards the Greek homeland.

A Persian fleet of 600 ships left the Ionian coast and set out across the . They set up camp at Marathon Bay, a mere 25 miles away from Athens. Darius’ goal was to capture Athens. The Greek way of life was under its greatest ever threat. The Athenian military mobilized and assembled an army of around 10,000 men. They marched towards Marathon Bay. https://safeshare.tv/x/ss5a844f2a0d80c

The Battle of Marathon was an overwhelming victory for the Athenian led Greek Army. AFTER MARATHON • Defeated Emperor Darius I and his military forces sail back to Persia. Their intent is to now launch a massive force against the Greeks to avenge their loss at Marathon.

• Due to failing health, Darius I dies in 486 B.C. His son, Xerxes, takes the thrown as Emperor of Persia.

• Xerxes’ goal is to avenge his father’s defeat and to expand the Persian Empire.

• Xerxes spent four years planning his attack, building the fleet, and assembling troops.

• When news of his massive army spread across Greece, weaker city-states submitted immediately to Persian rule, fearing all out annihilation.

• Xerxes had assembled the largest army ever seen; between 300,000 to 500,000 men. PAN-Hellenic Congress • This threat of invasion brought together Greek city-states that would not submit. • They met at Corinth in 481 B.C., where the plan was ultimately made to abandon territories in northern Greece. • The Greeks debated and considered retreating down to Corinth and abandoning Athens. • Finally a plan was devised to send a military force to defend a pass at . • The Greeks then ran into a problem. At this time the Spartans were within a religious festival, and the Olympics were beginning, meaning that all Greeks had to lay down arms. THE DECISION • would send a military force of 300 men led by King Leonidas.

• Other Greek city- states contributed troops leading to a military force of nearly 7,000 men. 480 B.C Xerxes forces advance and meet the Greek forces at an area known as the “Hot Gates”. The pass at Thermopylae.

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After Thermopylae, Xerxes Xerxes had fulfilled his promise forces marched on and to destroy Athens. All major destroyed the Greek city- temples throughout the city were state of Athens. destroyed. In the hills nearby the Athenian population watched as their When Xerxes forces arrived home was destroyed. Unknown however, the found the city to Xerxes however was the Greek to be abandoned. military planning for revenge. http://safeshare.tv/v/EMbZQjfXUi4

BATTLE OF SALAMIS: September 480 B.C. This naval battle with was lead by the Athenian navy crushed the Persian naval forces. An estimated 400-500 of Xerxes warships were destroyed in the battle.

BATTLE OF PLATAEA: 479 B.C The largest battle fought during the Persian Wars in terms of man power. It was estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 Greeks, led by 8,000 Spartans, defeated Xerxes Persian forces. The Persians lost an estimated 90,000 men, and Xerxes was final forced to withdraw his forces and return to the Persian Empire. His campaign had been defeated.