Lecture Notes: The Persian Empire and the Greek Wars

Introduction

• Persian Empire: One of the most powerful and largest states in ancient times.
• Territorial Expansion: Conquered regions from Egypt to Central Asia.
• Conflict with Greece: Attempted conquest of Greece ended in failure.

Early Persian Expansion

• 6th Century BC: Lydian King Croesus controlled Greek cities in Asia Minor.
  • Greek cities had self-government, paid taxes to Lydia.
• Persian Conquest: Persia took over Lydia, demanded full submission from Greek cities.
• Greek Tyrants: Supported by Persia against democratic forces in Greek cities.

Ionian Revolt (499 BC)

• Cause: Greek discontent with Persian rule.
• Support: Limited support from European Greeks, primarily Athens.
• Outcome: Initial Greek victories, but ultimately crushed by Persia.
  • Cities plundered, men killed, women and children enslaved.

Darius' Campaign Against Greece

• Motives: Revenge against Greece, expand Persian control over the Mediterranean.
• 492 BC Invasion: Led by Mardonius, faced setbacks due to a storm and local resistance.
• Diplomatic Demands: Darius demanded submission of Greek lands.
  • Athens and Sparta defied these demands.

Battle of Marathon (490 BC)

• Persian Forces: 26,000 troops landed near Athens.
• Greek Response: 10,000 soldiers led by Miltiades from Athens.
  • Reinforcements arrived late due to religious constraints.
• Battle Strategy: Greek forces concentrated on flanks, defeated larger Persian army.
  • Greek casualties: 192; Persian casualties: over 6,000.

Xerxes' Invasion of Greece

• Preparation: Xerxes assembled a massive army (estimated 250,000).
  • Included diverse ethnic groups from the Persian Empire.
• Greek Response: Congress at Corinth, united some Greek states, others remained neutral.

Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)

• Greek Defense: Led by Spartan King Leonidas I with 6,000-7,000 troops.
• Persian Attack: Faced heavy Greek resistance, suffered losses.
• Betrayal and Final Stand: Greeks were betrayed, Leonidas and his forces fought to the death.

Battle of Salamis (480 BC)

• Naval Battle: Greek victory under strategic leadership of Themistocles.
  • Greek ships more robust; knowledge of surrounding waters was advantageous.

Battle of Plataea and Mycale (479 BC)

• Plataea: Greek forces defeated Persian army, effectively ending Persian military power in Greece.
• Mycale: Greek victory in Ionia, supported by local Greeks.

Aftermath

• Persian Repercussion: Persian military weakened, forced to retreat.
• Greek Success: Liberation of numerous Greek cities, formation of Delian League led by Athens.
• Continuation of Conflict: Sporadic skirmishes continued, with eventual truce due to internal Greek conflicts.

Conclusion

• Greek Victory: Defeated the powerful Persian Empire, maintained independence.
• Historical Impact: These conflicts highlighted the strategic and military capabilities of the Greeks, despite being against a much larger empire.