Lesson 6: The Persian Wars

In Lesson 2 you learned that the Greek city-states were fiercely independent. They helped each other, though, when one of them was attacked by a foreign army.

For example, when Athens was attacked by Persia (a neighbouring empire) in 490 BCE, she turned to her Greek neighbours. Messengers were sent to other city-states to ask for their help.

One of these messengers was a man named Pheidippides. Pheidippides reportedly ran all the way to Sparta (a distance of more than 160 km) to ask for Sparta's help. Long distance running races are named after the plain from which Pheidippides ran: The Plain of Marathon.

The Spartans promised to send their army to help Athens, but they had to wait until they made their customary sacrifice to the god Apollo. This sacrifice was always performed when the moon was full, which was five days away. But that was too late. The Athenians would have to defend their city by themselves. After a hard battle, they defeated the Persians.

In 480 BCE, the Persians attacked Athens again. This time Sparta helped and fought the Persian army at a narrow pass called Thermopylae. The Spartans held the pass long enough so that the main part of the army could escape and defend Athens.

Themistocles, the Greek leader, knew he could not defeat the powerful Persian army. He persuaded the Athenians to leave their homes and fight the Persians at sea, where their chances of victory were better. And what a victory it was! At the Battle of Salamis, the Persians navy was lured into a narrow channel, where their ships were so crammed together they could hardly move. The Greek ships were able to ram into them, breaking their oars and leaving them helpless.

The Persian fleet had to sail back to Asia, leaving Greece in freedom. Xerxes, the new Persian king, was so angry about the outcome that he beheaded the few captains who survived the battle.

The defeat of the Persians at the Battle of Salamis was a turning point in history. The Persian Empire was prevented from spreading through Europe and, during the forty years of peace that followed, Greek civilization rose to its greatest height. This period was known as the Golden Age of Greece.

Check Your Knowledge Activity 6:
Crossword Puzzle

Send In Activity 6:
Complete one of these activities:

Option A: Report on the Battle of Salamis
Option B: Build a Model of a Greek Trireme