The Challenge of the Persians Greek History. Athens Upsets Persia Greeks Spread east and comes in...

The Challenge of the Persians

Greek History

Athens Upsets Persia

• Greeks Spread east and comes in contact with Persian Empire

• Ionian Greeks conquered by Persians revolt• Athens Supports Ionian• Persian King Darius seeks revenge.

Battle of Marathon

• 490 B.C. Persians land at Marathon, 26 miles from Athens

• Athenians beat Persians• Athenian Runner ran 26 Miles to Athens to

announce the victory, Dies upon delivering the message

2nd Attack on Greece

• Xerxes takes control of Persia after the death of his father Darius

• Invades Greece with a force of 180,000• Athens has had time to prepare but needs to

mobilize

Battle of Thermopylae

• Greek Soldiers (Athens and Sparta Ally) and try to delay Persia at Thermopylae pass.

• 7000 Athenians and 300 Spartans hold off the Persian force of 180,000 for two days.

• Greek force betrayed by a traitor and destroyed

• Greeks later defeat the Persians.