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The Greeks

 

            The city-states had won a massive triumph against all the odds, and this held great significance to the Greeks. One of the main reasons for the Greek victory over the Persians was the Greeks ability to drop conflict and unite together to defend their homeland. This was shown through many events including The Ionian Revolt, The First Persian War, The Battle of Marathon, The Second Person War, The Battle of Themopylae, and The Battle of Salamis.
             The Ionian revolt took place between 499-493 BC and it was this that started the war between Persia and Greece. Aristagoras, the tyrant of Miletus, made the first moves beginning a chain of events by convincing the governor of Lydia to help him attack Naxos and make it part of the Persian Empire. Aristagoras failed miserably and, in fear of the Persians, switched sides and rebelled against it. In search of help, Aristagoras confronted Athens and Sparta. While the spartan city-states refused to help, Athens marched with their allies in 498 BC and burnt the city of Sardis.
             It was in the year 490 BC that The First Persian War took place. According to Herodotus, Persia declared war on Greece because of the Athenians helping the Ionians in The Ionian Revolt and also for the burning of Sardis. The next link in the chain of events was the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. It wasn't looking good for the Athenians, the Spartans were unable to help them and they were outnumbered greatly by the Persians. Eventually the Athenians were persuaded by a soldier by the name of Miltiades to defend themselves and left for Marathon with around 10 000 hoplites (heavily armed Greek foot soldiers) and 600 Plataeans. After seventeen days, Miltiades was given the word that the Persian cavalry was gone and gave the order to attack. Without question the Athenians had once again pulled together and declared victory.
             The Second Persian War was between 480-479 BC. The Persians decided to have a combined land sea attack, using Xerxes famous "bridge of boats" to cross water.


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