The Persian Wars
Greek city-states rebelled against Persia and during the uprising, they burned Sardis, the western capital of Persian EmpireGreek city-states united to fight against the Persian Empire
Darius I landed near the plain of Marathon and outnumbered the Athenians two to one
The Athenians asked Sparta for help but they feared Spartans would arrive too late and so the Athenian general devised a strategic plan to defeat the Persians.
Greek Victories
Persian emperor Xerxes, son of Darius I, was faced by a small Greek force at a mountain pass called Thermopylae.
The Persians broke through and set Athens on fire.
However, the Athenian navy was ready to face the Persians in a narrow straight between the Greek coastline and the island of Salamis.
Although the Greeks were outnumbered, the smaller Greek ships defeated the Persians in the narrow straight and sent Xerxes back to Asia Minor.
On land, the Spartans had been victorious in the Battle of Plataea
After the Persian wars, 15- Greek city-states formed the Delian League
The Delian Leagues won many victories, with Sparta and Athens contributing to win but conflict arose between the two city-states
Emperor Xerxes of Persia almost conquered the Greeks. In key victories, however, the Athenian
navy defeated the Persians at sea, and the Spartans beat them on land
Democracy in AthensCleisthenes made reforms to help Athens form a democracy
Direct democracy: all male Athenians over 18 were allowed to vote while woman and slaves were not
Veto ( A council proposed laws to the assembly, which would accept or veto them by majority.)
Representative democracy: citizens elect people to make decisions
Pericles made a more democratic reform
He believed all citizens, rich and poor, should be able to serve equally in government
The Golden Age
A time of great cultural achievement in Athens is known as the Golden Age
Athens continued to receive tribute from members of the Delian League
Pericles worked hard to make Athens an example of Greece
Greeks advanced in art, poetry, education, philosophy, science, and mathematics, and medicine
During the Golden Age of Athens, leaders built grand public buildings to celebrate Athenian democracy
and culture. It was a time of artistic, scholarly, and economic growth.
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