the persian wars
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- The cities deposed their own tyrants and, with help from Athens, tried unsuccessfully to throw off Persian domination.
- In 490 B.C.E., Darius sent a representative to several Greek city-states with the message that all Greeks should send him “earth and water” to show that the Greeks recognized Darius as the ruler of their lands and seas. Characteristic of their city-state’s attitude, the Spartans threw the representative down a well, saying Darius could have both “earth and water” at the same time! This was also their way of showing Darius that the Spartans were not intimidated. Darius responded by sending his huge navy, carrying the massive Persian army, across the Aegean to have his troops start the land war. His goal was to conquer Athens first, then control the other arrogant city states. His troops landed at Marathon, which is just north of Athens.
- After his father Darius I died, the next Persian king, Xerxes, swore to take revenge on all of Greece, especially the Athenians. He spent 10 years raising a massive to destroy Greece. The first major battle of this portion of the war was the Battle of Thermopylae. For one of the few times in Greek history, Athens and Sparta united to defend themselves against the Persians. The Spartan king, Leonidas, led a small army of just 300 Spartans warriors to defend the pass at Thermopylae
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