1. Persian War
Greco-Persian Wars

2. Herodotus “Father of History”
Systematically gathered and organized historical data, analyzing and creating timelines
Earliest Greek prose to survive
Clear and strong historical information; though sometimes incorrect and fanciful

3. Battle Stats… Persia Diverse
Usually armed with a bow, short spear, sword or axe, wicker shield
Bows were to wear out the enemy and used spears and swords for close combat
Sparabara: infantry formations, used to help protect back ranks
Members of the Persian Empire

4. Battle Stats…
Greece
Hoplite phalanx: Hoplites made up a rectangular mass military formation
Hoplite: foot soldiers
Middle class members – could afford heavy armor
Heavy amour
Breastplate, helmet, concave shield, spears (longer than the Persians
Considered superior to hand-to-hand combat
Collective group from Greek City-States: Athens, Sparta, Hellenic Alliance

5. First Persian Invasion
492 BC
King Darius’ revenge on Athens
Darius sends ambassadors all over Greece, and slowly gains control over the regions, expect Sparta and Athens
Eventually island-hopped to reach the in-land
Athens will win over Persia at the Battle of Marathon
Darius will attempt to take over Greece, but divides in Persia delayed the process and he will die of old age

7. Battle of Marathon Persian attempt to invade Greece Bay of Marathon
Athenians blocked both exits from the bay
Phillipides – ran to Sparta to request aid (marathon)
Sparta could not send help for ten days – “full moon”
Stalemate against Persians
Hoplites overrun the Persian forces
Persians will attempt to sail straight to Athens, but are overrun there
Persian KIA:6,400
Athenian KIA: 192

10. Second Persian InvasionBC
Xerxes
Fourth king of Achaemenid Dynasty (Persia)
Followed Darius by invading Greece
Xerxes Canal
Through peninsula of Mount Athos
Pontoon Bridges – build across Hellespont
480 BC: Set out against Athens with
Estimated 1 million soldiers, 10,000 elite warriors (Persian Immortals)

11. Battle of Thermopylae

12. Battle of Thermopylae
Xerxes attempt at Athens with a huge army and navy
Greeks were outnumbered, but held off Persians for 7 days
A small Greek force blocked Persian army’s path
Local resident Ephialtes told of a way through Greek lines
Outflanked the Greek army
300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 400 Thebans – most are killed