persian wars called persian wars series conflicts persia modern day iran started lasted collision political world greeks enormous empire began cyrus great conquered greek inhabited region struggling rule independent minded cities appointed rule prove source trouble greeks alike embarked expedition conquer island persian support expedition pre dismissal asia minor rebellion beginning progressively drawing regions asia minor conflict secured military support athens forces helped capture burn persian regional capital persian king great vowed revenge athens act revolt continued sides effectively attacked revolt battle suffered decisive defeat rebellion collapsed final members stamped following year seeking secure empire revolts interference mainland greeks embarked scheme conquer greece punish athens burning persian invasion greece began persian general successfully conquering forced early end rest campaign second force sent greece time command expedition besieging capturing route attack athens persian force decisively defeated battle marathon ending persian efforts time began plan completely conquer greece died responsibility conquest passed son personally led second persian invasion greece largest ancient armies assembled victory allied greek states famous allowed torch evacuated athens overrun greece seeking destroy combined greek fleet suffered severe defeat battle following year greeks went offensive defeating persian army battle ending invasion greece allied greeks followed success destroying rest persian fleet battle persian garrisons byzantium actions general siege byzantium alienated greek states anti persian alliance leadership called league continued campaign persia decades beginning expulsion remaining persian garrisons europe battle league won double victory finally secured freedom cities league involvement egyptian revolt resulted disastrous defeat campaigning suspended fleet sent cyprus achieved little withdrew persian wars drew quiet end historical sources suggest end hostilities marked peace treaty athens persia called peace origins conflict greeks classical period believed dark age followed collapse civilization significant numbers greeks fled emigrated asia minor settled modern historians generally accept migration historic separate later colonization mediterranean greeks believe migration explained simply classical greeks claimed settlers tribal groups settled coasts founding cities cities islands cities independent recognized shared heritage supposedly common temple meeting place formed cultural league admit cities tribal cities remained independent conquered western asia minor king attacked conflict ended treaty alliance meant internal autonomy follow foreign affairs time conflict sent army aid conflict eventually settlement established set border kingdoms famous king succeeded father set conquering states persian prince cyrus led rebellion median king cyrus grandson supported median aristocracy rebellion cyrus emerged victorious founding place median kingdom process saw disruption persia opportunity extend realm asked attack supposedly replied famously ambiguous answer cross destroy great empire blind ambiguity prophecy attacked eventually defeated fell cyrus crossing destroyed great empire fighting cyrus sent messages asking revolt rule refused cyrus finished conquest cities offered subjects terms subjects cyrus refused citing help previously prepared defend cyrus sent median general conquer attacked decided abandon city entirely sail exile sicily persian subjects later returned chose attacked rest remained turn conquered years following conquest found difficult rule empire cyrus identified elite native groups help rule new subjects group existed greek cities time usually aristocracy inevitably divided feuding factions settled city drew internal conflicts furthermore certain develop independent streak replaced faced difficult task worst fellow citizens hatred staying favour past greek states ruled form government decline past tended needed strong able leaders rulers appointed simply place men backed persian military need support population rule absolutely eve persian wars probable population discontent ready rebellion warfare ancient mediterranean persian wars sides use spear armed infantry light missile troops greek armies placed emphasis heavier infantry persian armies favoured lighter troop types persia persian military consisted diverse group men drawn nations empire according general armour style fighting troops usually armed bow short spear sword axe carried shield wore leather individuals high stature wore high quality metal armor likely bows wear enemy closed deliver final blow spears swords rank persian infantry formations called bows carried larger shields armed longer spears role protect ranks formation cavalry probably fought lightly armed missile cavalry greece style warfare greek city states dates dated based supported missile troops foot soldiers usually drawn members middle classes athens called afford equipment necessary fight manner heavy armour usually included helmet large round concave shield armed long spears significantly longer persian spears sword heavy armour longer spears superior hand hand combat gave significant protection ranged attacks lightly armed comprised greek armies growing importance conflict battle instance formed half greek army use cavalry greek armies reported battles persian wars naval warfare beginning conflict naval forces eastern mediterranean switched warship powered banks common naval tactics period greek equipped cast bronze ram bows boarding ship borne marines experienced naval powers time begun use known clear probably involved sailing gaps enemy ships persian naval forces primarily provided people empire coastal regions contribute ships course wars revolt associated revolts cyprus military rebellions regions asia minor persian rule lasting heart rebellion dissatisfaction greek cities asia minor appointed persia rule opposition individual actions launched joint expedition persian conquer attempt bolster position financially terms prestige mission sensing imminent removal chose rebellion persian king great struggling rule independent minded cities appointed local rule prove source trouble greeks alike supported troops athens marched captured burnt return journey followed persian troops decisively beaten battle campaign offensive action taken subsequently went defensive responded attack aimed outlying areas rebellious territory spread revolt meant largest army moved instead campaigning successfully army wiped ambush battle resulted stalemate rest persian army navy straight rebellion fleet sought defend sea defeated decisively battle defected besieged captured population enslaved double defeat effectively ended revolt surrendered result spent reducing cities west coast held finally imposing peace settlement considered fair revolt constituted major conflict greece represents phase persian wars brought persian fold vowed punish athens support revolt seeing political situation greece posed continued threat stability empire decided embark conquest greece invasion greece having began plan moves threat empire greece athens resultant persian invasion greece consisted main campaigns campaign campaign led son law nominally persian empire able force fully subordinate client kingdom persia previously vassal retained broad degree autonomy progress campaign prevented fleet wrecked storm coast injured raid camp tribe returned rest expedition asia following year having given clear warning plans sent ambassadors cities greece demanding submission received athens instead executed ambassadors athens defiant effectively war ordered military campaign following year campaign son given command amphibious invasion force set sail persian force sailed island rhodes temple chronicle records besieged city unsuccessful fleet sailed punish resistance failed expedition mounted decade earlier inhabitants fled mountains caught enslaved burnt city temples fleet proceeded island hop rest way taking hostages troops island task force sailed major target attempt stop landing advancing allowed besieged days attacked walls losses sides seventh day opened gates betrayed city city razed temples looted burned furthermore according commands enslaved remaining townspeople persian fleet headed south coast landing bay marathon roughly miles athens guidance general greatest experience fighting army marched block exits plain marathon stalemate ensued days decided continue onward athens began load troops ships loaded cavalry strongest soldiers ships soldiers descended hills plain greeks crushed weaker persian foot soldiers routing wings turning centre persian line remnants persian army fled ships left battle records persian bodies counted battlefield lost men soon persian survivors sea marched quickly possible athens arrived time prevent securing landing athens seeing opportunity lost ended year campaign returned asia watershed persian wars showing greeks beaten highlighted superiority heavily armoured greek showed potential failure invasion began raising huge new army intended greece completely egyptian subjects revolted revolt forced indefinite greek expedition died preparing march egypt throne persia passed son crushed egyptian revolt quickly resumed preparations invasion greece scale invasion needed planning conscription decided allow army cross europe canal dug persian fleet destroyed rounding coastline feats exceptional ambition capabilities contemporary state campaign delayed year revolt egypt sympathy greek city states including pledged defect reached borders family ruled saw invasion opportunity extend power explicitly suspected willing aid invasion force arrived roughly years preparation began muster troops invade europe gives names nations troops drafted persian army gathered asia minor summer autumn armies eastern gathered led passed winter early spring moved joined armies western army mustered marched europe crossing bridges size persian forces numbers troops mustered second invasion greece subject endless dispute modern scholars reject unrealistic figures million given ancient sources likely exaggerated topic debated consensus revolves figure size persian fleet disputed ancient authors agree number numbers ancient standards consistent interpreted number correct modern scholars accepted number suggesting number lower recent works persian wars reject number viewing reference combined greek fleet works generally claim launched warships states athens year marathon hero marathon injured military campaign taking advantage powerful family arranged prosecuted failure campaign huge fine imposed crime people died weeks later wound politician power base firmly established poor filled vacuum left death following decade influential politician athens period continued support expansion athens naval power aware period persian interest greece ended naval policies seen light potential threat persia great rival champion upper class vigorously opposed policy vast new silver found mines proposed silver build new fleet ostensibly assist long running war suggests deliberately avoided mentioning persia believing distant threat act persia fleet aim fine suggests admitted fleet needed resist preparations coming campaign known motion passed easily despite strong opposition passage probably desire poorer paid employment rowers fleet unclear ancient sources ships initially authorised fine holland suggest ships authorised second vote increased number levels seen second invasion continued oppose policy tension camps built winter direct contest holland essence world referendum policies endorsed aware persian preparations coming invasion voted build ships asked preparations persian invasion leading politician athens king stripped replaced cousin chosen exile way court act advisor later greek affairs accompanied second persian invasion end book relating prior second invasion sent apparently blank wax tablet wax removed message found wooden backing warning plans historians believe chapter inserted text later author possibly fill gap end book start book unclear alliance sent ambassadors city states greece asking food land water submission persia ambassadors deliberately avoided athens hoping states learn plans states opposed persia began city states congress states met late autumn confederate alliance formed confederation powers send envoys ask assistance dispatch troops member states defensive points joint consultation abstract union simply calls greeks greeks sworn alliance translation greeks banded translation referred allies athens leading role congress interests states influenced defensive strategy little known internal workings congress discussions meetings nearly greek city states sent representatives remarkable greek world especially city states present technically war second invasion greece early macedonia having crossed europe april persian army began march greece taking months travel unopposed joined fleet reorganized troops tactical units replacing national formations earlier march allied congress met spring agreed defend narrow borders block advance warned alexander bypassed army overwhelmingly large greeks retreated shortly received news crossed point second strategy suggested allies route southern greece require army travel narrow pass easily blocked greek despite overwhelming numbers furthermore prevent bypassing sea allied navies block straits dual strategy adopted congress cities fall plans defend come women children athens evacuated city august battles estimated time arrival coincided olympic games festival warfare periods considered despite uncomfortable timing considered threat grave dispatched king personal bodyguard men customary elite young men replaced veterans children supported contingents cities forces allies picked way allies proceeded occupy pass rebuilt wall built point pass waited arrival arrived mid august initially waited days allies disperse eventually persuaded allies intended contest pass sent troops attack allied position suited warfare persian contingents forced attack greek head allies days persian attacks including elite persian end second day betrayed local resident named revealed mountain path led allied lines aware scouts dismissed allied army remaining guard rear men final day battle remaining allies forth wall meet wider pass slaughter eventually killed captured simultaneous battle allied naval force defended protecting flank forces allied fleet held days evening allies received news fate allied troops allied fleet badly damaged longer needed defend flank allies retreated island september battle victory meant fell open invasion remaining population athens evacuated aid allied fleet began prepare defensive line building wall road abandoning athens athens fell small number eventually defeated ordered athens razed captured greece expected defiance priority complete war quickly possible destroy allied navy strong position force allied surrender conversely avoiding destruction hoped destroying persian fleet allies prevent conquest completed allied fleet remained coast september despite imminent arrival athens fell allied fleet remained coast trying lure persian fleet battle partly deception navies met cramped straits persian numbers ships struggled maneuver seizing opportunity allied fleet attacked scored decisive victory sinking capturing persian ships ensuring safety according loss battle attempted build causeway channel attack project soon abandoned naval superiority removed feared allies sail destroy bridges general volunteered remain greece complete conquest hand picked group troops retreated asia bulk army able return burnt city winter june battles winter tension allies particular protected fleet key security felt treated refused join allied navy spring remained knowing attack pointless allies refused send army outside moved break stalemate offering peace alexander intermediate sure delegation hand hear reject offer athens evacuated marched south took possession repeated offer peace refugees athens sent demanding assistance threatening accept persian terms aided response summoned large army cities marched meet heard allied army march retreated near trying draw allies open terrain use cavalry allied army command regent stayed high ground protect tactics days maneuver stalemate ordered night time retreat allies original positions maneuver went leaving isolated separate hills contingents scattered away near seeing better opportunity attack ordered army forward persian infantry proved match heavily armoured greek broke bodyguard killed persian force dissolved rout troops managed escape road rest fled persian camp trapped slaughtered greeks greek victory recounts afternoon battle victory battle reached allies navy time coast morale boosted allied marines fought won decisive victory battle day destroying remnants persian fleet sea power marking greek fleet whilst modern historians doubt took place day battle occurred allies received news events greece greek counterattack ways beginning new phase conflict greeks offensive immediate result victory second revolt greek cities asia minor actively fought openly declaring rebellion cities followed example shortly allied fleet sailed break bridges found sailed home remained attack held allies strongest town region cables equipment bridges persian governor prepared siege believing allies attack able lay siege siege dragged months causing discontent troops eventually food ran city fled night guarded area city able possession city day troops sent straight away pursue party captured tribe sacrificed god eventually caught killing taking including captive request people town plundered governor having region sailed athens taking cables bridges trophies cyprus operating terms alliance allies sent fleet composed ships supported unspecified number allies overall command according fleet sailed cyprus subdued island exactly means unclear suggests essentially raid gather treasure possible persian garrisons cyprus indication allies attempted possession island shortly sailed byzantium certainly fact league repeatedly campaigned cyprus suggests island garrisoned allies garrisons quickly expelled byzantium greek fleet sailed byzantium besieged eventually captured control byzantium gave allies command straits europe asia crossed allowed access merchant trade black_sea aftermath siege prove troublesome exactly happened unclear gives details later writers added plenty arrogance arbitrary actions says violence managed allied contingents particularly freed persian asked leadership campaign agreed hearing behaviour recalled tried charges collaborating enemy acquitted reputation restored command returned byzantium private citizen took command city expelled crossed settled accused collaborating recalled trial death unclear remained possession byzantium meantime sent byzantium small force command allied force found rest allies longer prepared accept leadership returned home wars byzantium allegedly eager end involvement war supposedly view liberation mainland greece greek cities war purpose reached feeling securing long term security asian greeks prove impossible aftermath king proposed greeks asia minor europe method permanently freeing persian dominion commander rejected cities originally colonies protect marks point leadership effectively passed withdrawal byzantium leadership explicit loose alliance city states fought invasion dominated league withdrawal states congress called holy island institute new alliance continue fight alliance including islands formally constituted alliance commonly known according official aim league avenge suffered territory king reality goal divided main efforts prepare future invasion seek revenge persia organize means dividing war members given choice supplying armed forces paying tax joint treasury states chose tax campaigns persia league campaigned remove remaining persian garrisons region primarily command politician early decade began campaigning seeking strengthen greek position battle allied fleet achieved stunning double victory destroying persian fleet landing ships marines attack rout persian army battle took essentially passive role conflict anxious risk battle possible end took ambitious decision support revolt egyptian persian empire greek task force achieved initial successes unable capture persian garrison memphis despite year long siege force besieged months wiped disaster coupled ongoing warfare greece resuming conflict persia truce agreed greece able lead expedition cyprus besieging died force decided withdraw winning double victory battle cyprus order campaign marked end hostilities persia end persian wars peace persia battle cyprus makes mention conflict saying greeks simply returned home hand claims aftermath blown peace treaty peace agreed probably following history point turn presumably influenced teacher earliest reference supposed peace 4th century idea treaty controversial authors period appear reject existence possible attempted negotiate previously suggests aftermath victory agreed peace treaty greeks naming ambassador involved admits denied peace point mentions passing embassy headed sent negotiate embassy included representatives probably dated alliance agreed athens embassy attempt reach kind peace agreement suggested failure hypothetical negotiations led decision support egyptian revolt ancient sources disagree official peace agreed opinion modern historians split instance fine accepts concept peace effectively rejects holland accepts kind accommodation athens persia actual treaty fine argues denial treaty peace point suggests actually referring treaty allegedly negotiated persia views correct remove major obstacle acceptance treaty existence argument existence treaty sudden withdrawal cyprus fine suggests makes sense light kind peace agreement hand kind accommodation failure mention odd aim explain growth power treaty fact allies released obligations marked major step conversely suggested certain passages history best interpreted referring peace agreement clear consensus modern historians treaty existence ancient sources details treaty reasonably consistent description terms greek cities asia live laws autonomous depending translation persian presumably armies travel west closer day journey horseback closer days journey foot persian warship sail west southern coast asia minor west rocks probably eastern end north coast terms observed king generals send troops lands ruled persia persian perspective terms allowed greek cities asia governed laws reorganization conducted following terms persian subjects furthermore athens demonstrated superiority sea cyprus legal limitations persian fleet recognition military realities exchange limiting movement persian troops region realm secured promise stay entire realm aftermath later conflicts end conflict persia process league empire reached conclusion allies athens released obligations provide money ships despite cessation hostilities greece war power athens continued finally ended agreement thirty year truce growing athens lead years later outbreak second war disastrous conflict dragged years eventually result utter destruction power empire establishment greece athens suffered conflict significantly weaken greece repeatedly defeated battle greeks plagued internal rebellions hindered ability fight greeks successors instead adopted policy divide rule avoiding fighting greeks instead attempted set athens regularly politicians achieve aims way ensured greeks remained distracted internal conflicts unable turn persia open conflict greeks persia king briefly invaded points greeks far busy overseeing destruction power fight wars shifted balance power greece persia favour greeks subsequent half century conflict greece restore balance power persia entered war forming mutual defence pact combining naval resources athens exchange sole persian control cyrus younger attempted seize persian throne recruited greek mercenaries greek world sent believing following terms defence pact unaware army true purpose failure cyrus persia tried regain control city states rebelled conflict refused called assistance provided athens sided led turn large scale conflict greece war end conflict sought aid persia shore position called king peace brought war end demanded received return cities asia minor return threatened war greek state peace treaty greek gains previous century sacrificed greeks asia minor maintain greece aftermath treaty greek began refer peace fictional shame glorious example good old days greeks freed persian rule ancient sources histories translation commentary commentary isbn history war lives eminent commanders modern sources vol isbn burn persia greeks iran volume median cambridge ancient history vol isbn political history empire translated isbn philip greek persian wars isbn shadows desert ancient persia war isbn fine ancient greeks critical history isbn moses introduction history war translated isbn green peter greek history alternative version translated isbn green peter persian wars isbn hall ethnicity culture isbn past isbn holland tom world empire battle west isbn outbreak war isbn des defence greece isbn robin greece making isbn lives isbn joseph companion ancient macedonia sons isbn retrieved diplomacy persian relations france peace ancient medieval history isbn history greek city states isbn anthony dark age greece archaeological survey eleventh eighth centuries isbn citadel city state isbn andrew empire ancient world biographical dictionary isbn
Greco-Persian Wars