Persian Wars

Battle of Marathon

490 BCE

This image shows part of the first Persian invasion of Greece. The Persian forces conquer the Cycladic islands and establish control over the Aegean sea.
The Battle of Marathon happened because a Persian Army wanted to defeat the Greek city-states. The Greek strategy was to keep the Persian army pinned down at Marathon, blocking both exits from the plain. Therefore, preventing themselves from being defeated. The Greeks won which marks the first battle of the Greco-Persian Wars.

Persian Wars

Period: 490 BCE to 478 BCE

The Battle of Thermopylae

480 BCE

This image shows the Thermopylae war when the Greeks are getting defeated by the Persians. The Thermopylae happened when the Persian invasion of Greece was resumed by King Xerxes. The Greeks were betrayed, and the Persians were able to pass them. Sending the main army in retreat, Leonidas and a small contingent remained behind to resist the advance and were defeated. The Persians won and gained control of Phocis, Boeotia, and Attica.

The Battle of Salamis

480 BCE

The image is of the Persians boats being attacked. The Battle of Salamis is significant as it was the final battle that took place in the war. The Athenians were forced to go to Salamis (an island off the coast of Athens). Due to the false information Themistocles sent out, Xerxes grew complacent as he ordered the ships towards Salamis. The Athenians made a swift advancement towards the enemy fleet, confusing the untrained men in the Persian ships. They sunk 200 ships while losing 40.

Delian League

478 BCE

The Delian League was an alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens to liberate eastern Greek cities from Persian rule and as a defence to possible revenge attacks from Persia following the Greek victories at Marathon, Salamis, and Plataea. This image is a map of all the city-states that are in the alliance.