Battle of Plataea

The Battle of Plataea took place in July of 479 B.C. and was part of the larger war of the Persian Empire under Xerxes to conquer Greece. The Persian loss at the Battle of Salamis had already changed their invasion plans. Mardonius the Persian general noticed during the night that the Greeks were in three uncordinated columns and so he ordered an immediate attack. The Spartans held strong during the attack and a confused battle broke out which the Greeks eventually turned around into a complete victory. Mardonius had been killed in the struggle, also causing the Persians to lose heart. The Persians suffered heavily during their retreat hotly purused by the Greeks. In all 50,000 Persian forces perished. The Greeks recorded the loss of 1,360, but were probably higher.

Sources

Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979