The Persian Wars

Do Now: Canada Map Quiz

Obj: Origins of Persian War Battle of Thermopylae Consequences of Persian Wars

HW: Active Read 5.3 Critical Thinking # 7 & 8

Canada Quiz!!!

Iron vs. Bronze Intro of lighter/cheaper iron in weapons

production allowed common man to fight in military

Phalanx – Battle formation that allowed Greeks to stand side by side protected by another mans shield and spear Most powerful fighting force of the ancient

world

A New Kind of Army Emerges

Battle of Marathon Athens sends aid to Greeks rebelling against

Persians in Western Anatolia Persian King Darius the Great vowed to destroy

Athens as revenge 490 B.C.E. 25,000 Persians sail to Marathon to

fight 10,000 Athenians Persians no match for Greek phalanx; sent

back to sea

The Persian Wars Begin

After battle Pheidippides sent to bring news back to Athens of Victory

“Rejoice and Conquer” Pheid. Ran the 26 miles from Marathon to

Athens; delivered his message and died! That’s why today a “marathon” is 26 miles…

What’s A Marathon???

480 B.C.E. Darius’ successor Xerxes assembled an army to crush Athens

Greek city-states very divided: Some wished to allow Xerxes to crush Athens,

some fought for the Persians and some vowed to fight against

Xerxes marches army down the Greek coast unchallenged until narrow mountain pass of Thermopylae….

Battle of Thermopylae

7,000 Greeks including 300 Spartans fought Xerxes armies for 3 days

Traitor shows Xerxes path to surround the Greeks

Greeks retreat but Spartans stay to fight! Their sacrifice gives all other Greeks strength

and motivation to defeat the Persians

Battle of Thermopylae cont…

The Delian League 478 B.C.E. several Greek city-states ally to

fight against the Persians and protect Greece Greeks drive Persians out of Greece and limit

threat of future attack

The Delian League

Consequences of Persian Wars

Athens’ Golden Age: Athens takes control over

the Delian League moving its headquarters to Athens

Now 200 city-states most become absorbed in Athenian Empire

Prestige from Persian victory and wealth from Athenian Empire – set the stage for Athens’ brief “Golden Age”