Persian Wars

Greek polis’s clashed with PErsians. King Cyrus the Great decided the

Greeks needed to be stopped from interfering with Persian Empire

Cyrus Died and Darius Became King

Marathon 490 B.C.

Athens outnumbered 1/2. Persians waited on beach for Athens (who hid in hills). Persians loaded ships. (strongest man on first) Athens attacked. Athens sent messenger 26 miles last words “Victory” and died.

• ********DARIUS DIES**his son****XERXES IS KING******

2.) Xerxes wanted revenge on Greeks. Greeks combined forces.

Leonidas-Sparta King in charge of land. Fought Persians at Thermopylae “That is good news. We will fight in the shade!” Traitor told Persians about back path. Leonidas sent soldiers to safe place and a few men stayed back to fight. Persian won

Thermopylae 486 B.C.

Salamis

3.) Themistocles-Athenian general in charge of sea. Wanted to cut off food supply to Persian Army. Fought at the Salamis straight. Greek ships were smaller and could turn around quicker and rammed Persian ships. Greeks won the battle on the water

*****Persian Army march to Athens (everyone gone) Persians burn their city

PLATAEA 479 B.C.

Greeks united together (BIGGEST Greek Army EVER!) Defeated Persians

Persian Empire weakened. *After Xerxes dies other Kings raise taxes and spend money on themselves. *common people rebelled *Brothers plotted against each other.

330 B.C. Alexander The Great Invaded Persian Empire and won

Peloponnesian War431 B.C.

Athens fought Spartans for power (had different forms of gov’t and didn’t trust each other)

Athens knew Sparta could beat them on land and Athens would win on water but Sparta didn’t have a navy.

Athens hid inside city walls. Better fighting than open field. After one year sickness hit the city. Many people died 1/3

Fought another 25 years. Sparta made deal with Persians and Persians crushed Athenian Army

Outcome of Peloponnesian War

Greeks could never unite after this

Spartans put in 30 men (thirty Tyrants) Oligarchy. After a year people rebelled

Socrates gives hope “how do things work”

“does a good shepherd get rid of his sheeps-stood up to the Oligarchies he was a gadfly (questions/criticizes). Had young people questioned-sentenced to death