dorian age, only rich could afford weapons and armor, made of bronze. later replaced with iron, cheaper, better metal.
persian war- war between greece and persian empire. began on island of ionia on coast of anatolia. greeks were settled there but persians conquered it. ionian greeks revolted, athens sent soldiers to help in revolt. darius the great defeated the revolt and vowed to destroy athens. in 490 bc, persian fleet of 25000 men landed in an area called marathon. 10000 athenians met them. after several hours of fighting, persians fled, they lost 6000, athens lost 200 or less. athenians were using phalanx, persians not well trained for mountains, oersians used light armor, athenians wore iron armor, athenians had home field advantage. athenians left athens without much of an army, pheidippides ran 26 miles from marathon to athens to tell of victory. persians tried to attack athens after defeat at marathon, but athenian army had already returned. persians fled again. ten years later darius son xerxes, became successor of persian army. brought army with him to complete the job his father once vowed. greece was divided on how to handle persians. some states thought they should fight for athens, some thought thought they should let persia destroy athens, some fought with persians.
battle of thermoppylae- narrow mountain pass, 7000 greeks and 300 spartans stood in the way of xerxes and his huge army on this push to get to athens. xerxes underestimated greeks and spartans. a traitor went to xerxes and inform him of a secret path around the pass. fearing defeat the spartans fought the persians so the greeks could fight another day. all 300 were killed. it made a great impression on the greeks. allowed the remaining greeks to retreat and fight the persians again. showed xerxes what he was really up against.
battle of salamis- greeks abandoned athens because they thought that fighting at sea was their best chance. xerxes lost a third of his fleet.
lasting effects- delian league was created. alliance of greek city states to continue to push persians out of greece. athenians were the head of the league and moved hq to athens. gave athenians power and helped them push into their golden age
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