Persian Wars Inquiry

Battle of Marathon

A decisive battle fought in 490 BCE during the first Persian invasion of Greece, where a much smaller Athenian force, led by General Miltiades, achieved a stunning victory over the Persian army, marking a significant moment in the Persian Wars and bolstering the confidence of the Greek city-states.

Miltiades

An Athenian general and strategist, born around 550 BCE, who played a crucial role in the Battle of Marathon by devising a tactical plan that utilized the terrain to the Greek advantage. His leadership was instrumental in securing one of the first major victories against the Persian forces.

Pincer Maneuver

A military tactic effectively employed by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon, where the two wings of the Athenian army encircled the Persian forces, leading to their confusion and defeat.

Persian Cavalry

The mounted soldiers of the Persian army, who were poised to play a critical role in combat; however, their effectiveness was significantly diminished at the Battle of Marathon due to the rough terrain, which hampered their mobility and maneuverability.

Hellenic League

An alliance formed in the early 5th century BCE, comprising several Greek city-states, that united in a common effort to resist Persian expansion and invasion, particularly during the Persian Wars.

Themistocles

An influential Athenian politician and general, born in 524 BCE, who advocated for the expansion of the Athenian navy and played a pivotal role in the Greek naval victories over Persia, including the Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE.

Bay of Eleusis

Strategically significant waterway located near Athens, where Themistocles suggested confronting the Persian naval fleet during the Greco-Persian conflicts.

Thermopylae

A narrow mountain pass in central Greece, famously known for the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE, where King Leonidas of Sparta led a small Greek force against a vastly larger Persian army, embodying heroism and sacrifice.

Salamis

The site of a decisive naval battle in 480 BCE during the second Persian invasion, where the outnumbered Greek fleet, under the command of Themistocles, achieved a major victory against the Persian navy, shifting the balance of power in favor of the Greeks.

Ostracism

An Athenian political procedure practiced in the 5th century BCE, allowing citizens to vote to exile a potentially dangerous public figure for ten years, a form of political control used against influential figures such as Aristides to prevent the concentration of power.