Persian Wars Sources

Question 1

Herodotus, 6.9 -
Persian commanders were concerned that they would not be able to defeat the Ionian fleet and, therefore, would not be able to take Miletus. So they sent the exiled Ionian tyrants to Lade, where each tried to persuade his fellow citizens to desert to the Persians

Answer 1

The Ionian Revolt 499 BC

Question 2

Herodotus, 6.45 -
‘and the even greater catastrophe that had overwhelmed his fleet around Athos’

Answer 2

Mardonius’ Campaign 492 BC

Question 3

Herodotus,6.48.1 -
‘He sent heralds this way and that throughout Hellas, bidding them demand a gift of earth and water for the king.’

Answer 3

Darius demands Earth and Water from the Greeks. Those who comply are known as medisers.

Question 4

Herodotus, 6.113 -
‘The two armies fought together on the plain of Marathon for a length of time… on the two wings the Athenians and the Plataeans defeated the enemy’

Answer 4

The Battle of Marathon 490 BC

Question 5

Herodotus, 7.175 -222
The majority of the army left under the command of Leonidas. Only Spartans, Thespians and Thebans remained. The Greek army consisted of about 7,000 men, while the Persian army may have had as many as 300,000.

Answer 5

The Battle of Thermopylae 480 BC

Question 6

Herodotus - the Greek admirals become very scared when they see the Persian fleet approaching, and some decide to evacuate Salamis. Themistocles understands that they will only stay and fight if the Persians make the mistake to attack the Greeks in the narrow and shallow bay

Answer 6

The Battle of Salamis 480 BC

Question 7

Herodotus - the Spartans sent 25% of the 45,000 men. Herodotus tells that in order to avoid coming under Theban hegemony Plataea offered to “put themselves into Spartan hands”

Answer 7

The Battle of Plataea 479 BC

Question 8

Herodotus reports that the Persians fought well at first, but that the Athenians and the contingents with them wished to win the victory before the Spartans arrived, and thus attacked ever more zealously. Although the Persians stood their ground for a while, they eventually broke and fled to the palisade. Persian force of 60,000, a range of 22,000–58,000 men for the Allies.

Answer 8

The Battle of Mycale 479 BC