The Battle of Thermopylae

First Persian Invasion into Greece Defeated at Marathon

490 BCE

Ordered by King Darius, King Xerxes' father, Persian forces were defeated at Marathon which led to the demise of the Persian invasion. It is believed King Xerxes' reasons for personally leading an invasion into Greece was to avenge his father's defeat while also raising his accomplishments above his father's.

King Xerxes take the Crown

486 BCE

The death of his father, King Darius, led to King Xerxes inheriting the throne. One of King Xerxes first objectives as the new ruler is to begin the invasion of Greece.

Life of Herodotus

Period: 484 BCE to 413 BCE

Herodotus of Halicarnassos travelled extensively and conducted one of the first tomes of history based on the Greco-Persian Wars. He conducted interviews and visited many of the important sites of the conflict. Much of what is known of Ancient Greece and the Greco-Persian Wars comes from his work

The Persian Empire Prepares for the Invasion of Greece

481 BCE

In preparation for invasion the Persian empire built a canal through Mount Anthos for their ships to travel to Greece while avoiding the unpredictable storms of the Aegean Sea. Xerxes also built bridges at the Hellespont to cross the Dardanelles and another bridge to cross the River Strymon in Thrace. These works began about two years before Xerxes' invasion set out.

Xerxes' Forces Begins Their Trek to Greece

481 BCE

Xerxes set out with his army personally. The invasion would travel over 4,000 kilometers to reach Athens, Greece. The forces had supply depots on the routes and has been said included between 175,000 to 3,000,000 people. Modern estimates based on the works of Herodotus and archaeological findings has the number of Persian forces closer to 175,000.

Xerxes Crosses the Hellespont into Persian Controlled Northern Greece

480 BCE

Xerxes forces successfully crossed the Hellespont over the bridges created for the invasion. Xerxes also sent messengers to each of the Greek City States demanding demonstrations of submission.

Leonidas Readies Thermopylae for Battle

480 BCE

King Leonidas gathers supplies and fortifies the "Hot Gates" at Thermopylae to prepare for the coming invasion. The Greeks decided on meeting the enemy at Thermopylae after deciding against confronting the Persians at the Pass of Tempe.

The Battle of Thermopylae

480 BCE

The battle took place towards the end of the Greek Summer and lasted three days. The Greeks were holding the pass against the overwhelming numbers of the Persian Empire until Ephialtes informed the Persians of a hidden pass to flank the Greeks.

The Battle of Salamis

480 BCE

The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle between the Greek Navy (led mostly by Athenian Forces) and the Persian Navy. While out numbered, the Greek Navy had a resounding victory. The Battle of Salamis was the turning point of the Persian Invasion as Xerxes and most of his army retreated back to Persia.

Another Persian Push by General Mardonius

479 BCE

After having spent the winter marshaling Persian forces in Thessaly, General Mardonius attacks and takes Athens again. General Mardonius would hold Athens until Sparta and other Greek allies are able to join with the Athenians. Rather than hold the city, General Mardonius decides to retreat to Thebes.

Plataea

479 BCE

The allied Greek forces met General Mardonius' forces at Plataea. The defeat of the Persians at Plataea ended the Persian Invasion.

Publishing of The Histories

425 BCE

The Histories is the end result of the work of Herodotus, a historical account of the Greco-Persian Wars. While there have been other histographies discovered before Herodotus' none have been discovered as complete and as intact as his work, leading to Herodotus being called the "Father of History"