1. Focus ATHENS SPARTA Council of 500 oligarchy Delian League
On a sheet of paper make two columns and sort the characteristics
ATHENS SPARTA
Council of 500 oligarchy Delian League
strong navy good farmland Council of Elders
Five Ephors theatre & philosophy Draco & Solon
two kings democracy helots

2. ANCIENT GREECE
The Persian Wars

3. Background to the Persian Wars
SIDES: Greeks versus Persians
Persia was the greatest military power in the world
How did they treat their conquered people? Fairly – accepted diversity
What did they want in return? taxes and military service

4. The Persian Empire stretched from Asia Minor to Egypt to India.

5. Darius was the leader of the Persians
He wanted more land and wealth so he conquered the Ionians who were Greeks living in Asia Minor
 In 499BC the Ionians rebelled and asked Athens and Sparta for help
The answers?
SPARTA– no, took too long to get there by land
ATHENS– yes, could travel by boat
Athens won
How did Darius feel? He was furious with Athens and wanted to punish them!

6. BATTLE OF MARATHON (490BC)
Sides: Persia versus Athens
Darius decided to attack and landed at Marathon which is 26.2 miles from Athens
Sparta did not help because they were having a religious festival.

7. What happened? The Athenians defeated the Persians (6,400 dead Persians to 200 Athenians!)
Athenians sent a runner to Athens to announce victory - today a long-distance race is called a marathon.
The Persians left and Athens began to build a strong navy because they feared the return of the Persians.

8. BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE (480BC—10 YEARS LATER)
Sides: Greeks (with the Spartans!) versus Persians
Xerxes was the leader of Persia; he invaded with a large navy and army
Many Greek city-states surrender but not Athens and Sparta
At the mountain pass at Thermopylae, 300 Spartans held off the Persian army but they were betrayed and killed.

10. BATTLE OF SALAMIS Persians versus Athens
When the Persians got to Athens, the Athenians had fled and the Persians destroyed the city.
There was a large naval battle and Athens won because their ships were more maneuverable.
 Xerxes went back to Persia and a year later the war was over.

11. RESULTS OF THE PERSIAN WARS
Who won the Persian Wars?
Greece mainly due to Athens
Athens emerged as the major Greek city-state
Athens had a Golden Age
The Delian League was formed as a defense league against future invasions. It was led by Athens.

12. RESULTS OF THE PERSIAN WARS
Problems with Athenian leadership of the Delian League.
a. city-states were not allowed to leave it
b. they had to pay money to Athens for protection
Sparta forms an opposition league called the Peloponnesian League.