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Classical Greek Civilization: The Persian Wars
Prelude to Conflict
The Persian Empire's Expansion
In the 6th century BCE, the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great embarked on a rapid expansion, conquering vast territories and threatening the Greek city-states along the coast of Asia Minor.
The Persians viewed the Greeks as a potential threat to their empire and sought to subjugate them. In turn, the Greeks feared Persian domination and were determined to resist their advances.
Outbreak of War
Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
In 490 BCE, a Persian force landed near the city of Marathon, hoping to march on Athens. The outnumbered Athenian army, led by Miltiades, confronted the Persians in a decisive battle.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Athenians employed innovative tactics and defeated the Persian invaders, marking the first major defeat of the Persian Empire.
Invasion of Xerxes (480 BCE)
Ten years after the Battle of Marathon, King Xerxes of Persia launched a massive invasion of Greece with an army of over 100,000 men.
Xerxes overran many Greek cities but faced determined resistance at the Battle of Thermopylae, where a small force of Spartans held off the Persian army for several days.
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