The Persian Wars

March 20, 2012

The Persian Wars499 – 449 BC

• Fought between the Persians and the Greeks• Persians decided to go on the offensive after the

Ionian Revolt• They sailed across the Aegean Sea to fight the Greeks• Major Battles– Marathon– Thermopylae– Salamis

• Recorded in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus.

The Greeks

The Persians

Persians vs. Greeks

The Persians• Large and diverse group of men

from all over Persia• Led by a powerful General• Armed with a short spear and

sword• Carried long rectangular wicker

shields• Wore leather armour• Fought in the ‘Sparabara’

formation• Also had archers and lightly

armed cavalry

The Greeks• Armies from different city-

states; eg. Sparta, Athens• Had no central leadership• Armed with a long spear and

sword• Carried concave shields made of

metal• Wore metal armour:

Breastplate, helmet and greaves• Fought in the Phalanx formation• Had few archers, no cavalry

AssignmentAnswer the following three questions on looseleaf:

1. Which side would you rather be fighting on? Why?

2. Who do you think will emerge victorious from the Persian Wars?

3. List and explain three reasons for your choice to question #2.

4. What factors not listed above might also influence the outcome of the wars?