New technology-
during the dorian age, only the rich would really afford to buy the bronze weaponry and armor. Iron later replaced bronze and allowed the common man to be able to arm himself and fight battles. also a new formation was formed in battle called the phalanx.
Start of the persian war-
war between greece and persian empire. it was first began in ionia on the coast of anatolia. greeks were settled there but the persians conquered it around 546 BC. the lonian greeks revolted. athens sent soldiers to help in the revolt. DARIUS THE GREAT defeated the revolt and then vowed to destroy athens. in 490 BC, the persian fllet of 25000 men landed in an area called marathon. 10000 athenians meet them there. after several hours of fighting persians fled the battlefield, 6000 persian lives were lost, 200 or less athenians lives were lost. the athenians were using this new fighting formaation called the phalanx. the persians were not well trained in this type of land fighting.
battle of marathon- accourding to trdition, army leaders would send a runner to alert athens of the battle. pheidippides was that runner. he ran 26 miles from marathon to athens.
ten years later- XERXES, darius the great's son, had become the successsor of the persian army. he brought an enormous army with him to complete his fathers job.... TO DESTROY ATHENS.
Greek issues- the greeks were very divided on how to handle the persian situation. some city-states thought that they should fight them and defend their city of athens. some city- states thought it wasnt worth it, and they should just allow them to burn it. some even fought with the persians.
famous battle of thermopylae- a narrow mountain pass was the setting of this battle. 7000 greeks and 300 spartans stood in the way of Xerxes and his huge army on this push to get to athens. Xerxes underestimated the greeks and spartans, however, they stood up for three days to them.
lasting effecs of spartan sacrifice- made a great impression on the greeks. allowed the remaining greeks to retreat and fight the persians again. showed Xerxes what he was up against.
battle of salamis- greeks abandoned athens, because they thought that fighting at sea was their best chance. they were right, Xerxes watched as 1/3 of this fleet was sunk. truley diminishing his army.
lasting effects of the persian war- the delian league was created (an alliance of greek city-states to continue to push the persians out of all greece.) athenians was the head of the league and moved the headquarters to athens. this gave the athenians a lot of power and helped push them into their golden age
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