The rise of greek civilization

The rise ofgreek civilizationChapter 2

1

Greek Isolation & End of Freedom

Greek colonies established along Asia Minor

Cooperated with poleis on mainland

Remained distinctive in culture, economy

2

CroesusGreek colonies came under control of Croesus

Wealthy, powerful king of Lydia

Cyrus the GreatCreated Persian Empire in a single generation

Unified Persia

Made alliance with Babylonia

The Persian Empire under CyrusLed rebellion against Medes

Conquered Medes, but still employed them

Medes were made overlords in Persia

Cyrus expanded the Persian Empire

Persian Contact with GreeksCyrus defeated Croesus

Conquered Greeks living in Asia Minor

Greeks sided with Croesus against Cyrus

Appointed satrap (governor) over western provinces

The Ionian Rebellion

Greeks in IoniaGreeks = along coast of Asia Minor, islands

Persian rule not bad at first

Tribute (taxes); serve in army

Greek cities ruled by local tyrants

Most not harsh, Greeks prospered

BUT -- Moving toward democracy, disliked Persian rule

CambysesCyrus died in battle

Successor = his son, Cambyses

Ruthless: killed his brother and sister

Died by suicide or from infected wound

Civil war followed

9

Darius the GreatDarius emerged as the Great King

Ionia obedient at first

Greek tyrant, Aristagoras, encouraged Ionians to rebel

10

The RevoltAristagoras encouragesthe Ionian Greeks to rebel

Greeks overthrew Persian tyrannies in Ionia

Established democratic constitution for Ionian Greeks

11

Asking Sparta for HelpTurned to Sparta first (strongest polis)

Sparta said no

Distrusted Aristagoras

No tie to Ionians

Worried about Helots

12

Asking Athens to HelpAthens agreed

Related to Ionians, religious/traditional ties

Hated Hippias

Fled to Persia; wanted power restored

Persians controlled port, route to grain fields

13

Athenian Might: The NavyAthens sent 20 ships

Eretria and Euboea sent 5 more ships

14

Surprise AttackBurnt Sardis to the ground

Old capital of Lydia, satraps home

Revolt spread throughout Greek cities of Asia Minor

The Persian Wars

16

RevengePersians gradually re-imposed their will

Defeated Ionian fleet

Destroyed Miletus the next year

17

Persian AngerResented Greek intervention

Three Goals:

Punish Eretria & Athens

Restore Hippias to power

Control Aegean Sea

18

A humble subject speaks with Darius the Great

19

Marathon: The First Major BattleAthens refused to submit to Hippias

Darius I led Persians

Besieged, defeated Eretria

Greeks fought back at Marathon

Decisive, Greek victory

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490 B.C.: Pheidippides: the Greek messengerThe courageous act of this Greek messenger inspired the Marathon race, which was first staged at the 1896 Olympics.

Wanted Sparta to fight Persians at Marathon

Ran 150 miles in two days; Sparta: No

Greeks fought, won battle at Marathon

Ran the 26 miles to Athens

Announced Greek victory (Nike!) then died

A Modern View of Marathon

22

The Great InvasionDarius died

Successor = Xerxes

Planned revenge for ten years

23

The Mighty Persian ArmyArmy = at least 150,000 men

The Immortals

Navy = over 600 ships

One goal: Conquer Greece

Persian Engineering

Xerxes decided it would be quicker to cross the straits than to march around Asia Minor into Greece, so he constructed a giant, pontoon bridge from this ships, and then marched his troops across to Greek land.

25

Xerxes Enters Greece

The Greek historian, Herodotus, describes Xerxes entrance into Greece. He says that the Persian king was carried on a golden throne.

26

Themistocles Brings HopeAthenian politician

Wanted to build strong navy

Discovery of silver mines

Use the profits to build ships

By 480 BC, Athens had over 200 ships

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Themistocles

Persuaded Athenian government to use money from silver mines to build strong navyA Greek trireme, as depicted on a vase

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The Greek Trireme

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Against the OddsHundreds of Greek poleis

Only 31 willing to fight Xerxes

Led by Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Aegina

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The Greek LeagueMet at Corinth as Persians launched attack

Sparta chosen to lead

The Battle of ThermopylaeLeonidas, King of Sparta

Army of 300 Spartans + allies

Total of 9,000 troops went to face Persian army

32

Divine Intervention

Storms destroyed many Persian ships

Greek fleet protected in a safe harbor

For three days, Greeks won

33

BetrayalLeonidas

Ephialtes led Persian army up mountain trail

Leonidas and his 300 Spartans died

Thermopylae

35

LeonidasHis courage and sacrifice enabled the Greeks to regroup and defeat the Persians.

36

Persian RevengeGreek navy forced to withdraw after Thermopylae

Persian army moved into Attica

Burned Athens

37

The Battle of SalamisGreeks retreated to island of Salamis

Narrow waters

Themistocles persuaded fleet to stay

Themistocles threatStay or he will resettle Athenians in Italy

Greeks = fewer, slower ships

Nevertheless stayed

Soldiers on ships; fought hand to hand

Important Naval VictoryGreeks false spy

Persians lost more than half their ships

40

Salamis today

41

Another Persian DefeatPausanias

Mardonius

Persian general

Tried to draw Athenians from Greek League

Pausanias

Spartan general; defeated Mardonius

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The Battle of PlataeaDecisive Greek victory

Mardonius died in battle

Persian army fled

43

The Battles of Samos and MycaleBattle of Samos

Spartan king led Ionian Greeks to victory

Battle of Mycale

Spartans destroy Persian camp AND fleet

Persians flee Aegean Sea and Ionia

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