THE PERSIAN WARS

PERSIAN EMPIRE & IONIAN REVOLT Largest empire of that time How did they keep order? – Divided into 20 different provinces – Tax collection – Appointed officials to rule over local areas – Allowed conquered people to keep customs

PERSIAN EMPIRE & IONIAN REVOLT Ionia = Greek settlement in Asia, Conquered by Persia Ionians ask Greece for help, but Persia wins – King Darius is going to set his eyes on Greece Sends gifts to Greece, to accept Persian rule Greece refuses gifts… sets the stage for war

BATTLE OF MARATHON Athens is forced to face Persian Army – Without aid from Sparta Athenians attack first, surrounding Persians – Persian soldiers flee – Athenians are able to keep back the cavalry too

BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE King Xerxes attacks, forcing Sparta and Athens to join forces – Athens provided the navy, Sparta the army Greek traitor gives Persians information to defeat Spartan army – Many flee but 300 men stay to fight the huge Persian army All die, but they fought with immense bravery… legendary

BATTLE OF SALAMIS Athenians flee after news of Thermopylae – Xerxes enters empty Athens, and burns it down Greeks must fight with their navy – Themistocles lures Persian navy into channel near Salamis – Defeat the Persian navy

BATTLE OF PLATAEA Persian army attack again – Sparta and Athens join together – Defeat Persians Ends Persian wars Thousands of Greeks have died and many important cities, including Athens, were destroyed – Important time for Greek nationalism