The Greco-Persian Wars 5th Century BCE – 490-479 BCE Key Concept

The Persians… Wealthy Largest civilization at the time

VS. The Greeks Poor Smaller population Lacked unity – constantly engaged in disputes with one another – city-states

And the winner… THE GREEKS!

Roots of War A group of Greek City-states were under the control of the Persians known to the Greeks as Ionia. The Ionian Greeks revolted against the Persians and found an ally with Athens on the Greek mainland

The Wars The Persians launched two wars in 10 years on the Greeks – wanted to punish the Greeks and destroy Athens The Greeks defeated the Persians both times – on land and sea

Impact Little impact on the Persian Empire since it was massive….but for the Greeks…

Impact of the wars on the Greeks Source of pride Significance of the Battle of Marathon Sets up the modern world divide of East and West: Western worldview in which Persia represented Asia and despotism (absolute power, cruel and abusive) where Greece signified Europe and freedom The Battle of Marathon (Greek: Μάχη τοῦ Μαραθῶνος,Machē tu Marathōnos) took place in 490 BC, during the first Persian invasion of Greece. It was fought between the citizens of Athens, aided by Plataea, and a Persian force commanded by Datis and Artaphernes. The battle was the culmination of the first attempt by Persia, under King Darius I, to subjugateGreece. The Greek army decisively defeated the more numerous Persians, marking a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars.

Greece BOOMS after wars Peak of Athenian Democracy Poorer classes “rowed their way to citizenship” The Golden Age of Greek Culture – the Parthenon, Greek Theater – Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides Socrates beginning career as a philosopher

Glory didn’t last Athens was made up of a group of thirty Greek city-states Athens wanted a dominant position – Imperialize – this led to a civil war Sparta took the lead The Peloponnesian War – Athens was defeated

Macedonian invasion The Greeks exhausted themselves, as a result, the Macedonians will take over Greece… The Conquest of Alexander the Great.