Greece & Persia ~The Persian Wars~ Cyrus the Great Led a - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Greece & Persia 
 ~The Persian Wars~

Cyrus the Great • Led a Persian revolt against the Medes • Won the revolt and gained independence for Persia • This victory marks the start of the Persian Empire • When he died, he ruled the largest empire the world had ever seen • Strong army – Immortals & cavalry.

Darius I of Persia *After Cyrus dies, his son Cambyses takes over – when he dies, there is no heir *Darius I, a young prince claims the throne *Good, strong leader *Built roads, temples, and wanted to expand Persian Empire into Europe *He is known to the Greeks as the Great King.

Greek Rebellion!! •In 499 BC several Greek city-states rebel Persian rule •Greeks from mainland helped by sending soldiers � •Eastern Greek colonies were defeated anyway � •Darius I was angry at the Greeks’ interference! •He swore revenge!

Darius and the Persians 
 invade Greece! 
 ~This invasions began a series of wars between Persia and Greece know as the Persian Wars.~

Battle of Marathon (490 BC) The Greeksof Athens VS. The Persians of Darius

An Athenian, Battle of Marathon (490 BC) Pheidippides, runs to Sparta for help….150 miles in 2 days… VS. But…the Spartans are busy with a religious festivial.

empire-peter-on-the-battle-of-marathon http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-marathon/videos#engineering-an- The Greeks have Battle of Marathon (490 BC) 11,000 soldiers, while the Persians have 15,000 – but due to better weapons & clever leaders – Greeks Win! VS. The same messenger runs from Marathon to Athens to bring the news (26 miles.) He exclaims “Rejoice! We conquer!” and

10 Years Later…Xerxes wants Revenge for his Father, Darius!

Battle of Thermopylae � The Spartans vs. the Persians Famous Battle of 300! http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/sparta/videos/spartans-implements-of-death

Battle of Thermopylae � Spartans, due to a Greek traitor, fight to their death. The Greeks lose and the Persians seep into Athens burning the city.

Good to Plan Ahead… • In Athens they had found a vein of silver… • Themistocles convinces the Athenians to build a navy • 200 boats • Triremes • Good thing…

Takes place at sea The small Athenian boats easily sink the Persian boats. Win for Greece!

Battle of Plataea � Greek Army vs. Persian Army 
 Greeks win and save their homeland!