Persian Invasions (492-479) quotes

Question 1

The Bisitun Inscription

Answer 1

Within these lands, whosoever was a friend, him I have surely protected; whosoever was hostile, him I have utterly destroyed.

Question 2

H 6.43

Answer 2

He [Mardonius] Suppressed the tyrants in all Ionian states and set up democratic institutions in their place

Question 3

H 6.94

Answer 3

He [Darius] himself was anxious to have an excuse to conquer all Greek communities

Question 4

6.95-99

Answer 4

[The Persians said] To spare the island in which Apollo and Artemis were born, and to do no harm to either its soil or to its people

Question 5

H 7.139

Answer 5

At this point I [H] find myself compelled to express an opinion which I know most people will object to… One is surely right in saying that Greece was saved by the Athenians

Question 6

H 6.108

Answer 6

The Lacedaemonians gave this advice not so much of goodwill towards the Plataeans as wishing to cause trouble for the Athenians with the Boeotians

Question 7

H 9.6

Answer 7

[The Athenians] sent a message to Lacedaemon to reproach the Spartans for allowing the enemy to invade Attica instead of marching with them to meet him in Boeotia

Question 8

H 7.102

Answer 8

[The Spartans] will not under any circumstances accept terms from you which would mean slavery for Greece

Question 9

Calchis Decree

Answer 9

I will not revolt from the people of Athens by any means we device whatsoever […] I will pay to the Athenians whatever tribute I persuade them to agree

Question 10

H 6.109

Answer 10

If we submit to the Persians, Hippias will be restored to power – and there is little doubt what misery must then ensue

Question 11

8.143

Answer 11

Such is our love of freedom [Athens’], that we will defend ourselves in whatever way we can

Question 12

H 8.3

Answer 12

The Athenians waived their claim [to be in command of the fleet against the Persians] in the interest of national survival, knowing that a quarrel about the command would certainly mean the destruction of Greece

Question 13

H 9.7

Answer 13

The Athenians refused a peace offer from the Persians “in spite of the fact that we ourselves have been treated unjustly and basely betrayed by our own confederates, and are well aware that we should gain more by an agreement with Persia than prolonging the war”

Question 14

H 7.228

Answer 14

Four thousand here from Pelop’s land against three million once did stand… Go tell the Spartans you who read: we took their orders and here lie dead

Question 15

H 6.117

Answer 15

[At marathon] some 6400 Persians were killed; the losses of the Athenians were 192

Question 16

H 8.94

Answer 16

The Corinthians do not admit the truth of it; on the contrary they believe their ships played a most distinguished role in the battle – and the rest of Greece gives evidence in their favour

Question 17

H 8.100

Answer 17

Xerxes himself came home

Question 18

H 9.71

Answer 18

On the Greek side, the troops from Tegea and Athens were conspicuous in the fighting, but both were surpassed by the Lacedaemonians… They were matched against the best troops of the enemy – and beat them

Question 19

9.105

Answer 19

The Athenian troops distinguished themselves more than any others in the battle… After the Athenians, the greatest distinction was won by the men from Corinth, Troezen and Sicyon

Question 20

H 7.49

Answer 20

There is not a harbour anywhere big enough to receive the fleet of ours [the Persians’] and give it protection

Question 21

H 9.62

Answer 21

The Persian soldiers were “deficient in armour, untrained and greatly inferior in skill”

Question 22

H 8.5

Answer 22

Thespia and Plataea Had refused to submit to Persian domination: hence their destruction

Question 23

Serpent Column

Answer 23

Out of the thousands of Greek cities, only 31 names are inscribed on the Serpent Column