4.3 Persia Attacks the Greeks

The Persian Empire

PERSIA BACKGROUND

• Persians were warriors and nomads who lived in Persia, the southwestern area of what is today Iran.

• Cyrus the Great united the Persians.

• The Persians built a large empire, conquering Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Syria, Canaan, and Phoenician cities.

PERSIA BACKGROUND

• Darius came to power in 521 B.C. and reorganized the government.

• The empire under Darius was divided into satrapies-states, each with a ruler known as a satrap-a protector of the kingdom. • The military of Persia consisted of full-time, paid soldiers known as Immortals.

The Persian Wars

• As the Greeks set up colonies in the Mediterranean area, they often clashed with the Persians. • By the mid-500s B.C., Persia already controlled the Greek cities in Asia Minor. • In 499 B.C. Athenians helped the Greeks in Asia Minor rebel against their Persian rulers….The Greek Rebellion Failed • After this, King Darius decided to stop the Greeks from interfering in his empire ever again.

BATTLE OF MARATHON

• The Battle of Marathon occurred in 490 B.C. on the plain of Marathon, a short distance from Athens.

• There were 20,000 Persian troops and 10,000 Greek troops. • The Persians waited there several days for the Athenians. • When they did not come, the Persian commander ordered the troops back on the boat.

• When the horsemen were on the boat, the Greeks charged the Persian foot soldiers and defeated them.

• Legend has it, that the Athenians sent a messenger home with the news. He ran for about 25 miles and with his last breath yelled, Marathon “ Victory.

” Then he died • Thus the reason why we called a 26 mile race a

The Persian Wars (Continued)

• After Darius ’ became king.

s death, his son Xerxes • He vowed a new invasion of Greece. • The Persians had 180,000 troops.

• Athens and Sparta joined forces to defend against Xerxes ’ s attack.

– Greek Army led by Leonidas and were mostly Spartan – Greek Navy led by Themistocles and were mostly Athenian

Battle of Thermopylae

• Greeks knew Persians were marching south for shipments of food. • Greek Game Plan: Army of 7000 would meet Persians at Thermopylae while the Navy attacks troops transport and supply ships.

– Thermopylae • Delay Tactic • Greek Traitor, gives Persians alternate route through mountains • Leonidas, Spartan warrior, sends all but a few hundred troops to safety • 300-800 men wait in a mountain pass for Persians • Hold off Persians long enough for ALL GREEKS to get out of Athens – Salamis • Greek Navy attacks supply lines and destroys Persians naval force at the Strait of Salamis • Able to do this because they had fast ships that could maneuver quickly through the narrow pass.

Battle of Plataea

• Greeks in Crete – Have a Persian army in Greece with no supplies and no reinforcements.

– Greek navy and people congregated in Crete. – While in Crete in 479 they form the largest Greek Army and head back to Mainland Greece. – They attack the Persians at Plataea and the Greek defeat the Persians.

The Persian Wars

• • • •

Marathon (490 BCE)

– 26 miles from Athens, Greek victory

Thermopylae (480 BCE)

– 300+ Spartans at the Mountain pass,

Persian victory Salamis (480 BCE)

– Athenian navy victorious

Plateau (479 BCE)

– Greek victory

Fall of the Persian Empire

• The Persian Empire fell for several reasons.

– The Persians were weakened by war, and their rulers taxed the people and spent the money lavishly.

– Persian royal families fought over who was to be king. Many kings were killed by family members who wanted the throne – Persian kings had many wives and children and all of the sons were constantly trying to take over the throne – 6 of 9 rulers after Darius were murdered

Assignment