The Persian Wars began with a revolt by Greeks in Ionia (modern-day Turkey) in April. They received assistance from Athens.
The revolt was defeated by the Persian army at the Battle of Miletus.
First Persian Invasion (490 BC)
Hippias, previously removed from power in 510 BC, guided the Persian commanders.
Persian forces landed at Marathon, about 26 miles from Athens, confronting an Athenian military force led by Miltiades.
The Greeks won the Battle of Marathon, defeating the first Persian invasion. Athens rose to prominence as a result.
Interwar Period
Politicians Themistocles and Aristides held opposing views; Themistocles advocated for expanding the Athenian navy.
A large vein of silver was discovered in the state-owned mines at Lorium.
Themistocles proposed using the silver to double the Athenian navy, increasing it from 100 to 200 triremes. A trireme was a three-tiered ship with 170 rowers.
Second Persian Invasion (480-479 BC)
Xerxes, the son of Darius, prepared a larger invasion.
A conference was called at Corinth, but many city-states declined to participate.
Athenians and Spartans allied against the larger Persian forces.
In 480 BC, Xerxes' army crossed into Greece.
Themistocles advocated for using naval forces in confined spaces as the key to victory.
Key battle at Thermopylae, where Greeks resisted but Persians broke through and moved towards Athens.
Athens was abandoned; Athenians fled to islands like Aegina and Salamis.
Battle of Salamis
Themistocles tricked the Persians into fighting at Salamis, a narrow strip of water.
The Greeks won the Battle of Salamis; Persian ground forces retreated to Thessaly.
Battle of Plataea (479 BC)
Persians were defeated at the Battle of Plataea by the Spartans.
The Greeks emerged victorious in the Persian Wars.
Aftermath
Athens' status was elevated, leading to the establishment of the Delian League, a naval alliance.
The Delian League later became a vehicle for Athenian imperialism.