The Persian Wars

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Slide 1

The Persian Wars

Greece’s Finest Hours

Slide 2

Where is Persia?

Slide 3

Why Fight?

Greeks had been settling on the west coast of Asia Minor (Persia)

Persia conquered these colonies

In 499 B.C. Greeks in these colonies revolted against Persian rule (they were used to ruling themselves—democracy)

Athens sent troops to support the revolt

Slide 4

Crushing the Revolt

Emperor Darius of Persia crushed the revolt rather quickly

He decided to punish Athens for helping the colonies

After training for a few years Darius sent troops to invade Greece

Sailed on to the Bay of Marathon

Slide 5

The Battle of Marathon

Athens asked Sparta to help, but Spartan troops would not arrive for 9 days (they were in the middle of religious festivals)

Other jealous city-states decided not to help Athens against the Persian Empire

So Athens took on the mighty Persian Empire by themselves

Slide 6

A Serious Mismatch

Persian troops—100,000

Athenian troops—20,000

Did Athens really have any hope against these odds?

Slide 7

Victory

The Athenian army was well-trained and did not break formation as they charged the Persian lines

The organized charge surprised the large but scattered (and poorly organized) Persian army

The Persian soldiers turned and ran from the oncoming Athenians

Slide 8

Slide 9

A Slaughter

The Athenian army almost drove the Persians back to the sea

Final tally

Persians—6, 400 dead

Athens—192 dead

Darius returned to Persia never to return

Slide 10

Connection to the Past

The modern marathon has its roots in the Battle of Marathon

A Greek soldier, Phidippides, ran from Marathon to Athens (26 miles) to tell the Athenians of the Greek victory and to warn them that the Persians may try to attack

Phidippides died from exhaustion after delivering his message

Today’s 26 mile marathon races remember his heroic act of martyrdom

Slide 11

Back for Revenge