PERSIAN WAR STUDY GUIDE PERSIA WAS AN AREA

Persian War Study Guide

Persia was an area that covered the region of the Middle East and more of Asia.
Darius was the king of Persia at the Start of the Persian War.

Athens (Greece) defeated Persia at the Battle of Marathon

Marathon was a plain 26 miles from Athens.
A Greek messenger ran 26 miles to Athens and cried out, “Nike!” the Greek word for victory and died of exhaustion.

Persia defeated Sparta (Greece) at the Battle of Thermopylae

King Xerxes took over as king of Persia when Darius died.
Leonidas was a Spartan king and military leader that led the Spartans in the battle of Thermopylae.
The people in Athens fled for the island of Salamis.
300 fierce, brave Spartans defended the narrow passageway.

Athens (Greece) defeated Persia in the Battle of Salamis

Xerxes burnt Athens to the ground.
The Athenian general, Themistocles, came up with a great plan to beat the Persians at sea.
The Persians that made it to shore were met by the Spartan army and were killed.

Athens and Sparta (Greece) defeated Persia in the Battle of Plataea

In the Battle of Plataea, the Spartans and Athenians fought side by side and the Greeks defeated the Persians for good.
The Greeks won the Persian War.

Essay questions:

How Athens won the Battle of Marathon: Athens attacked from the middle of their army only. While the fighting was going on, Athens sent in their troops on the sides to surround the Persians and force them to retreat.
Spartan plan at the Battle of Themopylae: Spartans would fight the Persians at the narrow mountain pass of Thermopylae. The Persians could only send in a few at a time, so the Spartans could beat them little by little.
How the Greeks defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis: The Athenians led the Persian Army to the island of Salamis, where a trap was waiting. When the huge Persian ships reached a narrow channel between the islands and the main land, they had to go through single file to fit. The Athenian navy had smaller ships called triremes that were lighter and faster. They were able to move around better and defeat the larger Persian ships.