Persion Invasion of Greece

Discuss this statement with reference to at least two case studies.

In all cases throughout the Persian invasions of Greece from 492-478 BC the Greeks were far outnumbered by their opponents and were forced to rely heavily on whatever advantages they could create for themselves. In most cases this meant that the Greeks were forced to use unprecedented tactics and/or take advantage of their location as best they could. The use of unconventional tactics is ever present in the battle of Marathon where the Athenians fought off an overwhelming Persian force and the clever use of geography is clear in both the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.

The battle of Marathon in 490 BC was the first great example of bravery and strategic prowess on the part of the Greeks in a long line of outstanding feats which appeared to defy all odds. The Persian army, led by the current king Darius and numbering twenty to thirty thousand men at arms, landed at Marathon and prepared to march across the southern mountains to Athens. However, the Athenians who had on

(Fig. ) By so arranging themselves the bulk of the Greek army at each end could proceed unhindered by Persian arrows and quickly close the distance with the Cavalry, not leaving them room to charge. Furthermore, the Athenians in the middle were made up of a line thin enough to be able to run under the arrows whenever they were fired. (Fig. ) When the Greeks finally closed with the Persians the bulk of the Persian army was wasted on the small thin line of Athenians in the middle, while the Greek army was able to actually fight with odds in their favor at each end. After a short time the Athenians had managed to surround the Persians on three sides, and, afraid that their escape route would be cut off, the Persians fled to their ships, all the while being run into the ground by pursuing Athenians. (Fig. )

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