01- Greek period study- PERSIAN EMPIRE 492- 479- A- level ancient history

Mardonius expedition, Marathon, Xerxes invasion

What was the Ionian revolt (499)

When many Ionian cities under Persian control revolted. Persia suppressed this with the battle of Lade and the suppression of Miletus. Persia was unhappy that Athens had chosen to support the Ionian revolts.

What was the Persian response to the Ionian revolts

Darius I sent his son in law, Mardonius on an expedition. Persia demanded Earth and Water from Greek states

What was the idea of earth and water

Symbolized submission to Persian authority. Didnt send herals to Athens or Sparta as they had previously pushed them down a well.

What is Naqs-e Rustam

Persian graveyard with tombs of many Achaemenid kings. Stone reliefs show the grandeur of the persian empire

Events leading up to the battle of marathon

Persia went to conquer all Greek states that didn't medise, attacked Naxos (respected delos), and burnt down temples at Eritrea, then landed at Marathon

Who was Hippias

A former tyrant of Athens, fled to Persian court and advised them to go to Marathon (he thought it would help reinstate him as leader of Athens

Who was Datis

One of the Persian commanders in charge of the invasion of Greece

Who was Miltiades

One of 10 Athenian generals that led during Marathon. He urged the Athenians to attack at Marathon

Battle of Marathon- Athenian strategy 490

With less numbers, they strengthened flanks and weakened centre to create illusion of more soldiers, and the encircle the Persians

Miltiades quote

" If we refuse to fight, I have little doubt that the result will be bitter dissention; our purpose will be shaken and we will submit to Persia"- Herodotus

Who was Xerxes I

Son of Darius I, often portrayed as arrogant, inexperienced and wanting to avenge his father for his failure.

Who was Artabanus

Xerxes' uncle- often portrayed as wise advisor- who warned Xerxes against invading Greece

Why is Herodotus criticised for his account of the meeting at the Persian Court

He had no sources in the Persian court and he adds character types like a Greek tragedy- makes it unreliable

What was the Wooden wall oracle

oracle stating only a wooden wall will save Athens- Themistocles argues this referred to the Athenian fleet, not the palisades

Hellenic League

anti- persian allience

Battle of Thermopylae

King Leonidas led the Greeks and Spartans in narrow mountain pass. They were betrayed and the Persians defeated them- PERSIAN VICTORY

Effect of the Battle of Thermopylae

Boosted Greek moral- tenacity of the 300. Also psychological effect on the Persians

Why is Herodotus criticized for his documentation of the Battle of Thermopylae

People think he could have exaggerated the numbers to over romanticise the Greeks as the underdog

Battle of Artemisia

Series of naval skirmishes against larger Persian army- same day as Thermopylae- DRAW

The battle of Salamis

Naval battle (led by Themistocles) he lured the Persians into narrow straits, where the Athenians could ram into the Persian ships and destroy them- GREEK VICTORY

Battle of Plataea

Mardonus in charge of remaining Persian land army- gets overwhelmed by the Greeks- GREEK VICTORY

The serpents column

Monument made to commemorate the Greek victory at the battle of Plataea with the names of the 31 Greek states that fought on it as a reminder of Greek unity- Spartas name at the top to show the role they played

Battle of Mycale

Persians pushed back to Mycale, deserted by Ionian allies- forces destroyed- GREEK VICTORY