Persian Wars

Question 1

492 - Mardonius’ Expedition

Answer 1

Mardonius’ “invasion” forces turned around in Thrace due to a storm off the coast of Mount Athos.

Herodotus - act of retaliation for the assistance that Athens gave to the Ionian Greek cities during their revolts.

Question 2

491 - Earth and Water

Answer 2

Darius sends Heralds to demand Earth and Water, most states medise, Athens and Sparta notably do not medise, and kill the messengers.

Athens bury him alive. Sparta drown him in a well. (Could be herodoyus’ story telling)

Question 3

490 - Persian Invasion of Greece

Answer 3

Datis and Artiphernes conquered Naxos, Eretreia and Delos, but Delos citizens allowed to be free as they initially medised.

Herodotus - records lengthy speech and a donative ‘piled up three hundred talents of frankincense and burnt it’ - Persians respectful to those who medise.

Question 4

490 - Marathon

Answer 4

Militates commanded the Greek army (Plataea + Athens)
Outnumbered 9:1
Herodotus - Greeks ‘took a running motion … the first as far as I am aware to have taken place’ - also supported by archaeological evidence

Question 5

490 - Persian retreat

Answer 5

Following Marathon Persia sailed to Athens but the Athenians arrived first
Herodotus - ‘Upon (Persians) seeing them (Athens) … turned back’
Sparta not present at marathon or here due to Gymnopaedia

Question 6

Persian Motivation to Invade

Answer 6

Naqs-e-rustam- for xerxes ‘i will do no wrong to he who has done no wrong to me’ two themes of persian inscriptions are restore the natural order and expand the empire.
Is Xerxes seeking revenge on Greece for their involvement in the ionian revolt or the defeat at marathon, or are they trying to expand the empire? Xerxes inscription is also identical to Darius

Question 7

480 - Persians Preparations for Invasion

Answer 7

Persians debate in the council, Pesistrades family wanted to be restored to Athens.
Xerxes unsure of what to do, Mardonius convinces him to act (Herodotus: But Mardonius … more influential than any other Persian … urged him [Xerxes] to action), Artibanus, Xerxes’ uncle attempts to convince him not to act due to the poor supply lines, conditions to fight in, and lack of accessible resources. Xerxes did not listen - arrogance?

Question 8

How many states medised?

Answer 8

Only 31 states did not medise and sent their heralds back (excluding Athens and Sparta who killed the heralds sent to them) - Serpent column depicts all 31 states - had to be recommissioned after Sparta only accredited themself.

Question 9

How did the Athenian navy grow so powerful?

Answer 9

Themistocles utilised Athenian newfound ‘silver mines at Laurium ‘ to fund the Athenian Navy, and to contribute to the newly formed Hellenic league (As a result of not Medising) (Plutarch, Life of Themistocles)

Question 10

Hellenic League Oath

Answer 10

Swearing to end all conflicts, spy on the nature of Persian activity, try and recruit more greeks to the cause, Resist the Persians and punish those who did not, provide a defence against all attackers, not seceding.

Question 11

480 - Battle of Thermopylae

Answer 11

Fought in the passage of Thermopylae. Leonidas (Spartan king) led 300 Hippeis against a vastly larger Persian force after turning away large forces of aid from other Greek states. Ultimately a Spartan loss but reinforced Spartan image and inspired the other Greek states to fight.

Question 12

Why did Leonidas turn away aid at Thermopylae?

Answer 12

Herodotus believed this was due to Leonidas seeing that the other Greeks were scared (Herodotus: I … tend to believe … unwilling to run at all risks with him … told them to leave), however presents the idea that they may have sent them away due to the situation seems hopeless (Herodotus: knew they would be killed … not befitting for him and the Spartans to run)

Question 13

480 - Salamis

Answer 13

Greek victory and naval battle - Greek fleet of around 240 (127 Athenian) led by Eurybiades + Themistocles.
(Herodotus: If the Athenians left, the rest would be no match for the enemy) - bias?
Herodotus claims that the ‘Corinthian General … bolstered his sails and fled away’ at the battle, but notes this being an Athenian rumour

Question 14

Aftermath of First Persian War

Answer 14

Xerxes withdraws most of his army following the sacking of Athens, however left Mardonius on his own request to continue to fight

Question 15

492

Answer 15

Mardonius’ Expedition

Question 16

491

Answer 16

Darius sends heralds to demand Earth and water

Question 17

490

Answer 17

Persian invasion of Greece

Question 18

490

Answer 18

Battle of Marathon

Question 19

480

Answer 19

Xerxes invasion / Battle of Thermopylae / Salamis