Anna Hartranft
Week 15, Day 3
Important Greek battles
The Ancient Greeks waged many wars with their Persian enemy. These wars saw many battles which had a profound impact on Ancient Greece. The Battles of Marathon and Thermopylae were major turning points in Ancient Greece.
The Battle of Marathon took place 490.B.C. The Battle of Marathon, which took place 490.B.C. The Greeks were fighting the Persians in order to keep them away from Athens. Miltiades was one of the Greek generals who made an emotional request and convinced his fellow generals to attack the Persians. He formed a Greek line equal in length to that of the Persians. The Greeks charged at the Persians. They should’ve been able to win, considering the size of the Persian army. Only 192 Greeks died, compared to over 6,000 Persians. All of the Persians still alive escaped aboard their ships to Athens. The Greeks returned to Athens before the Persians could capture Athens. The Greeks were able to defend themselves well against the Persians after this victory.
The Greeks enjoyed a decade-long peace after the victory at Marathon before the Persians invaded again. During the year 480 B.C. The Persians invaded. The Battle of Thermopylae saw a battle between Greek city-states under King Leonidas of Sparta leading the Greeks and Persians. It took place at a narrow pass in the mountains. Xerxes, the Persian King had a huge army and he was determined to conquer Greece. Themistocles marched a small force to stop the Persian advance. The small Greek force held off Persian forces for seven whole days. They blocked off the only route that the Persians could take. Unfortunately, an ordinary Greek citizen betrayed their army by showing the Persians a narrow path behind their flank. The betrayal was known to King Leonidas. He dismissed his entire army, leaving only a few men to guard the retreat. The small Greek army, which was surrounded from behind, was wiped out. The Greeks were brave enough to defend themselves and their homes, despite the odds.
The Battle of Salamis took place between Greeks and Persians. It took place on the Straight of Salamis. The Greeks were outnumbered. The Battle of Salamis, however, took place on August 4, 480 B.C. The second battle persuaded Greek allies that they should fight the Persian navy once more. The Persians were feared to destroy Greece if they won. The Persians entered the Straits of Salamis. The Persian Navy was unable to maneuver. The Greek fleet exploited this and won an important victory. Xerxes, the Persian King, retreated to Asia along with his majority of army.
It was the Persian army’s last stand in its attempt of conquering Greece. It took place in 479 B.C. The Persians had defeated the Greeks in Thermopylae. Xerxes retreated, however, to Asia. He left a small army to conquer the Greeks. The Persians constructed a camp that was fortified at Plataea. The Persians sent their Calvary out to attract the Greeks, but the Greeks did not engage. The Greeks fled and the Persian general sent his troops after them. The Greeks fought against the Persians. Many Persian soldiers died after being trapped. The Persians were destroyed, while the rest of their army fled. The Greeks took the offensive to defeat the Persians.
The Battles of Marathon and Thermopylae were important because they impacted the war’s tide. These battles were important in promoting patriotism. The Greeks continued to develop their government and civilisation. These advancements helped form western civilization. If the Persians had won, we would not have the countries that we do today.
