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The '''Greco-Persian Wars''', also known as the '''Medic Wars''' (500 [[BC]]-448 [[BC]]) were a series of conflicts fought between the [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] [[Achaemenid Empire]] (in modern [[Iran]], led by [[Xerxes]]) and the Greek city-states (most notably [[Athens]] and [[Sparta]]). The war may be best known for the [[Battle of Thermopylae]], which has given birth to many cultural references even to this day.

The '''Greco-Persian Wars''', also known as the '''Medic Wars''' (500 - 448 B.C.) were a series of conflicts fought between the [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] [[Achaemenid Empire]] (in modern [[Iran]], led by [[Xerxes]]) and the [[Greek]] [[city-states]] (most notably [[Athens]] and [[Sparta]]). The war may be best known for the [[Battle of Thermopylae]], which has given birth to many cultural references even to this day.

==History==

==History==

===Roots===

===Roots===

The roots of the Greco-Persian Wars lie in 545 [[BC]], when the Achaemenid Empire conquered and annexed Ionia. While none of the Greek city-states risked sending military units to defend Ionia, the Spartans did send a message to king [[Cyrus the Great]], warning him to stay away from mainland Greece. Upon hearing this message, Cyrus famously replied "Who are the Spartans?".  

The roots of the Greco-Persian Wars trace to 545 B.C., when the Achaemenid Empire conquered and annexed [[Ionia]]. While none of the Greek city-states risked sending military units to defend Ionia, the Spartans did send a message to king [[Cyrus the Great]], warning him to stay away from mainland Greece. Upon hearing this message, Cyrus famously replied "Who are the Spartans?".  

Cyrus did not heed the Spartan message. In 514 [[BC]], the Persians conquered [[Thrace]] and [[Macedonia]], angering the Greeks. Ionia had been seen by Cyrus as a logical expansion of the Achaemenid Empire, though Ionia was culturally and tradionally connected to the other Greek-speaking lands around the [[Aegean Sea]].

Cyrus did not heed the Spartan message. In 514 B.C., the Persians conquered [[Thrace]] and [[Macedonia]], angering the Greeks. Ionia had been seen by Cyrus as a logical expansion of the Achaemenid Empire, though Ionia was culturally and tradionally connected to the other Greek-speaking lands around the [[Aegean Sea]].

===Eretria and Marathon===

===Eretria and Marathon===

By now, [[Darius I]] had taken control of Persia. In 499 [[BC]], Ionia begins to rebel against Persian rule. As the Ionians and Persians fought, Athens covertly sent supplies to Ionia. The revolts were put down by 493 [[BCE]], and Cyrus set his sights on Athens. A Persian amphibious force of nearly 600 ships sailed towards [[Eretria]], easily sacking the city. The force then crossed to the mainland at [[Marathon]], a large, flat plain just north of [[Athens]].

By now, [[Darius I]] had taken control of Persia. In 499 B.C., Ionia begins to rebel against Persian rule. As the Ionians and Persians fought, Athens covertly sent supplies to Ionia. The revolts were put down by 493 B.C., and Cyrus set his sights on Athens. A Persian amphibious force of nearly 600 ships sailed towards [[Eretria]], easily sacking the city. The force then crossed to the mainland at [[Marathon]], a large, flat plain just north of [[Athens]].

At Marathon, one of the largest battles in [[Classical Antiquity]] took place. Nearly 11,000 Athenians held their own against some 20,000 Persians. After the victory, a Greek soldier by the name of [[Pheidippides]] ran nonstop from Marathon to Athens, to announce the miraculous victory (only 200 Greeks died in the entire battle). This was the inspiration for the marathon race.

At Marathon, one of the largest battles in [[Classical Antiquity]] took place. Nearly 11,000 Athenians held their own against some 200,000 Persians. After the victory, a Greek soldier by the name of [[Pheidippides]] ran nonstop from Marathon to Athens, to announce the miraculous victory (only 200 Greeks died in the entire battle). This was the inspiration for the marathon race.

===Thermopylae===     

===Thermopylae===     

By 481 [[BC]], A large Persian force (described as five million by [[Herodotus]], but estimates range from this figure to as low as 250,000, which is still a substantial size) had been assembled to march along the northern coast of the Aegean into Greece. This was accompanied by a large navy, which sailed down the coast alongside the troops. This was disturbing to the Greek city states, who convened at the [[Isthmus of Corinth]] to discuss the threat caused by the Persians. A loose alliance of several city-states, led by King [[Leonidas]] of [[Sparta]], and including around 5,200 troops was organized, and chose to hold a narrow mountain pass called Thermopylae. Despite great success In the first two days, the Greek alliance was compromised when a small Persian force found a route around the pass. The 300 Spartan and 700 Thespian soldiers volunteered to hold the pass the next day and allow the other city-states (Athens, Mantineia, Tegea, Corinth, Phocia, Floia, Thebes, Arcadia, and Mycenae) to retreat to fight again.

By 481 B.C., A large Persian force (described as five million by [[Herodotus]], but estimates range from this figure to as low as 250,000, which is still a substantial size) had been assembled to march along the northern coast of the Aegean into Greece. This was accompanied by a large navy, which sailed down the coast alongside the troops. This was disturbing to the Greek city states, who convened at the [[Isthmus of Corinth]] to discuss the threat caused by the Persians. A loose alliance of several city-states, led by King [[Leonidas]] of [[Sparta]], and including around 5,200 troops was organized, and chose to hold a narrow mountain pass called Thermopylae. Despite great success In the first two days, the Greek alliance was compromised when a small Persian force found a route around the pass. The 300 Spartan and 700 Thespian soldiers volunteered to hold the pass the next day and allow the other city-states (Athens, Mantineia, Tegea, Corinth, Phocia, Floia, Thebes, Arcadia, and Mycenae) to retreat to fight again.

===Salamis===

===Salamis===