How do we know the history of the Persian
Wars?
Herodotus
◈ Known as the
“Father of History”
◈ Wrote: History of
the Persian Wars
◈ Known for being
“pro-Greek”
◈ A major source of
information about
Greece and the
ancient world
Why did the war start?
Ionian Greeks who lived in Asia Minor rebelled against Persian rule.
Why did the war start?
The Persians wanted to expand their empire.
Who do you think will win?
Persian Wars
◈ Series of Persian invasions from 499-449 B.C.E.
What were the major battles?
Marathon – The Greeks won! It was a land
battle fought at the plains of Marathon.
Pheidippedes – the courier (messenger) who ran
the 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to
announce Greek victory. (This was the day after
running 150 miles to Sparta and back)
What were the major battles?
Thermopylae – The Persians won! It was a land
battle fought at a narrow mountain pass called
Thermopylae (called “hot gates” for its hot
springs).
Thermopylae
The Spartan “300” – A force of
roughly 300 Spartan soldiers stood
their ground against thousands of
Persian soldiers. But Persian
archers eventually killed all the
Spartans.
The Phalanx
◈ Soldiers would bunch together, shields
overlapping, while holding their spears or
javelins in between the shields. An enemy trying
to get close enough to cut through the shield
would meet the spear point. An attacking
phalanx could also jab its enemy long before its
soldiers were themselves in danger.
What were the major battles?
Salamis – The Greeks Won! It was a naval battle
fought in a narrow strait of water. The Greeks
lured the Persian fleet into a small area where
they were trapped. The Greeks used their
battering rams to sink the Persian ships.
What were the results of the war?
The Greeks Won!
Sparta and Athens united against a common enemy-
The Persian Empire!
The Greeks were now in control of the Aegean Sea.
Athens stayed independent and experienced a Golden
Age with advances in government and culture!
The Golden Age of Pericles
Pericles
◈ Father was a hero of the
Persian Wars
◈ Great general and
statesman of Athens
◈ Extended democracy to
all male citizens
The Golden Age of Pericles
Pericles
◈ Rebuilt Athens after it
was burned by Xerxes in
the Persian Wars
◈ Oversaw construction of
the Parthenon
