Olivia Gutierrez

History 110 MWF 11-11:50

Professor Addison

Row 2

Persian/Greek Wars

 

 

I. Introduction:

The Persian Greek wars began after the Greek colonies started rejecting Persian authority along the Ionian Coast. Tired of living in the shadow of the Persian Empire the Greeks tried to fight back but were initially unsuccessful. After the Persian invaded Eretria, the Greeks could no longer stand by and prepared for a revolt.

 

II. Battle of Marathon:

            A. Herodotus speaks of Athenian slaves being freed to fight against Persians.

B. Athenians outsmarted Persians by placing few soldiers in the center of their formation. Once Persians felt they had succeeded in fighting the Greeks, the Greeks swiftly moved in, attacked, and won.

 

III. Battle of Thermopylae:

            A. Xerxes takes over as king in 486 B.C.E.

            B. Persians prepared for a victory after the devastating loss at Marathon.

            C. The king along with a band of 300 men fought the Persians in a bloody battle.

            D. After the Greeks lost at Thermopylae the Persians continued their quest toward Athens.

 

IV. Battle of Salamis:

            A. Persians were outsmarted again when they were lured into a narrow passage in the mouth of the Bay of Salamis.

            B. Greek ships were hiding in the channel beyond the bay waiting for the Persians to enter.

            C. Persians were trapped and unable to maneuver the numerous amount of ships they had in the bay.

            D. Greeks won the battle of Salamis.

 

V. Battle of Plataea:

            A. This battle was between the Greek force and the Persians who now acquired the help of Greek allies, the Thebans.

            B. Spartans killed the Persian general.

            C. Athenians destroyed the Theban traitors.

            D. Greeks won the battle of Plataea which would be their final battle.