Persia 3

PERSIA EPISODE III: THE GREEKS STRIKE BACK (AGAIN!)

The Greek Retreat to the Saronic Gulf

  • Event leading to the Battle of Artemision/Artemisium.

  • Occurred on the same day as the Fall of Thermopylae.

  • Losses from the battle and absence of a decisive victory prompted the Greeks to abandon their positions in the area.

  • The Greek forces retreated southward towards the Saronic Gulf.

  • Discussions took place among the Greek leaders regarding their subsequent actions and strategies.

The Evacuation of Athens

  • In the face of news regarding the defeat at Thermopylae, the Athenians felt compelled to evacuate.

  • Ships returning from the Battle of Artemision/Artemisium provided assistance for the evacuation efforts.

  • Key locations mentioned:

    • Cithaeron

    • Marathon

    • Eleusis

    • Megara

    • Corinth

    • Athens

    • Attica

    • Salamis

    • Aegina

    • Hymet

    • Epidaurus

    • Troezen

    • Hermione

    • Mycenae

Themistokles and the Oracle of Delphi

  • A pivotal moment involved Themistocles consulting the Oracle of Delphi.

  • The consultation included discussions around the necessary sacrifices, particularly the sacrifice of a Spartan king.

  • The interpretation centered around the phrase "Wooden Wall":

    • Options considered were either a palisade on the Acropolis or an Athenian fleet as the true interpretation.

The Greek Fleet Assembles

  • The Greek naval forces gathered along the Kynosoura Peninsula in Salamis.

  • Notably mentioned locations:

    • Salamis Bay

    • Salamina

    • Ampelakia

    • Kynosoura

    • Selinia

    • Kaki Vigla

    • Aiantelo

    • Kanakia

    • Perani

    • Kolones

    • Peristeria

The Battle of Salamis, 480 B.C.

  • The Persian fleet organized into three lines in preparation for battle.

  • Multiple Greek factions involved, such as Athenians, Spartans, Ionian Greeks, and allies, positioning themselves strategically.

  • The significant role of the Egyptian contingent in attempting to block access to the western channel leading to Salamis.

  • Key figures included:

    • Xerxes, the Persian king

    • Pausanias, the Spartan leader

    • Themistocles, Athenian commander

  • Overview of geographic locations:

    • Gulf of Corinth

    • Saronic Gulf with Athens in proximity approximately 7 miles from Piraeus.

Xerxes Withdraws

  • After the initial confrontations, Xerxes retreated to Susa, effectively leaving ongoing conflicts to Persian General Mardonios.

  • Mardonios was designated to complete the campaign against the Greeks.

  • Persian forces were ordered to remain in Boeotia and Thessaly during the winter months to regroup and strategize for resuming hostilities in the following summer.

  • Destruction of temples, shrines, and statues symbolized instances of hubris among the Persians.

Greek Strategic Deliberations

  • A discussion involving the Greek leaders, including considerations on:

    • The medization of Thebes and other factors impacting Greek unity.

    • Potential retreat strategies to Corinth to regroup.

    • The significance of Athens in the broader war efforts.

  • Geographic regions involved:

    • Macedonia, Mt. Olympus, Epirus, Thessaly, Malis, Thrace, Chalcidice, Imbros, and surrounding areas related to Greek territories.

Athenian Diplomatic Relations with Macedon

  • Athenians met with Alexander I of Macedon discussing Greek unity and identity:

    • Reference from Herodotos' Histories emphasizing shared heritage among Greek city-states.

    • Pertinent issues concerning treaty terms from Xerxes, including amnesty for Greek states despite prior adversities.

    • Autonomy proposed for Greeks within the Persian Empire, and discussions regarding territorial expansions.

    • The Athenian perspective on Spartan inquiries regarding their role and response.

Convergence of Greek Forces in Plataia

  • Mardonios commenced a Southern campaign post-evacuation of Athens, negotiating with Athenians regarding terms of engagement at Salamis.

  • Coalition emerged between Athens, Megara, and Plataia, issuing an ultimatum to Sparta to accelerate mobilization.

  • Spartan military forces begin their march northward in response to the ultimatum.

The Battle of Plataia

  • The battle is led by Greek forces under the command of Pausanias, stepping in for Leonidas' son.

The Greek Serpent Column at Delphi

  • A commemorative column dedicated by Spartan general Pausanias, inscribed with a poem commemorating the Greek resistance.

  • Contentious discussions regarding the inscription, as other Greek representatives sought changes.

  • The engravings recognized all Greek poleis participating in the war against Persia.

  • Historical note: the column was relocated to Constantinople (Istanbul) by Emperor Constantine approximately 800 years later.

Aischylos’ Persians and Greek Identity

  • Exploration of the thematic representation of xenophobia within Greek artistic works, depicting the 'soft Easterner.'

  • The aftermath of the Greco-Persian Wars marked the transition from the Archaic period to the Classical period, characterized by:

    • Rise of Greek prominence and notable accomplishments in art, philosophy, and governance.

    • Redefinition of 'barbarian' reflecting the evolving Greek identity.

    • Distinctions drawn between freedom-loving Greeks and the despotic governance typified by Persians.

    • Emphasis on the importance of nuanced historical understanding in discussing this era.