Persian Wars Flashcards
492 - Mardonius’ Expedition
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.
491 - Earth and Water
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)
490 - Persian Invasion of Greece
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.
490 - Marathon
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
490 - Persian retreat
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
Persian Motivation to Invade
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
480 - Persians Preparations for Invasion
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?
How many states medised?
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.
How did the Athenian navy grow so powerful?
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)
Hellenic League Oath
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.
480 - Battle of Thermopylae
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.
Why did Leonidas turn away aid at Thermopylae?
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)
480 - Salamis
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
Aftermath of First Persian War
Xerxes withdraws most of his army following the sacking of Athens, however left Mardonius on his own request to continue to fight
492
Mardonius’ Expedition
