Ancient Greece: War, Glory, and Decline Ms. Elias iMater Academy World History

Persian Wars (499 BC-449 BC) Conflicts between the Persian Empire and city-states of the Hellenic world (Ancient Greece culture). Persia conquer Asia Minor Ionia– a city-state in Asia Minor revolts, but are unsuccessful. Persians wanted to punish the Greeks for helping Ionia.

Battle at Marathon Greeks defeat King Darius the I of Persia at the Battle of Marathon. QVjo

Battle at Salamis Ten years later the Persians return—this time Persian King Xerxes invades Greece from the north with a HUGE Persian army! The Greeks under the leadership of Sparta face the Persians at the Battle of Salamis. Sparta and Athens unite: – King Leonidas of Sparta on land (Brave 300) – The Greek navy at seas. Persia is defeated

Peloponnesian War (431 BC-404 BC) Persia retreated to Asia Minor, but it still remained a threat Athens and other city states (except Sparta) form a the Dalian League—was an association of Greek city-states, (between 150 to 173 members), under the leadership of Athens whose purpose was to continue fighting the Persian Empire after the Greek victory. – Athens begins to dominate the other city-states. Several city-states form an alliance against Athens— Sparta becomes the leader of that alliance.

Sparta Conquered Athens Sparta makes a deal with Persia—Sparta promises that Ionia would return to Persia. Many allies of Athens switch sides and joint the Persians—Athens is destroyed. Athens surrenders in 404 BC.

Effects of the Peloponnesian War City-states all over Greece decline in population Unemployment increases Greeks lose their ability to govern themselves – People forget about the “common good” of their polis – Many lose faith in democracy—begin to believe that “might makes right” Sparta rules the other city states, but is unsuccessful. Greece gets invaded by the Macedonians in 350s BC and the Greek city sates could not resist.

Macedonian Empire Conquers the Greeks