The Greek World 500-440BC

The Persian Empire

Darius king- constructing Persepolis in 522BC

512- Darius defeated Thucydeans and Greece payed attention- now on
doorstep.
3 attempts to capture Greece by Persians spread over 13 years.
Miletus in Ionia start of Greek Conflict.
Cause of war could be Skypian Campaign in 513 and 512 and Imperialism
Ionian revolt cause is revenge for Athenians and Eretreans sending help to
the Ionians in the revolt.
Cause for international Persian war- financial. Very fertile area, Persia
protecting and growing their wealth. Darius unsure of Athens participating
and trying to protect.
Causes include liberty (2), imperialism (1), revenge (4), economic motive
(3)
492- Persians under general Mardonius to teach Eretrians and Athenians a
lesson
492 at Athos- Persian fleet destroyed in violent storm. Lost over 200 ships
with over 100 men, therefore retreat
490- Persians tried again to get revenge- sailed straight across Aegean
and captured islands as they went

Imperialism

Long term issue

Force of imperialism- an unstoppable dynamic force pushing an empire to
continue its expansion
Persians would send out official to village to demand surrender- if they
didnt get what they want, theyd capture them anyway

Liberty

Megalomania of Persian kings

Horror and sympathy felt at the brutal treatment meted out by Persians to
Greeks in Ionian cities such as Miletus after the revolt (Greek Perspective)
Was Persian-Greek conflict part of an eternal east-west conflict of ideas,
values and culture?

Revenge

Ionian Revolt of 499-498 was of fundamental importance. King Darius

wanted to punish Athens and Eretria who helped Ionian rebels. The
destruction of Sardis was a crime that had to be avenged (Persian)
Former tyrant of Athens, Hippias, who ruled the city from 527-510BC
manoeuvred to gain Persian backing for his return to power over the city
state

Other Reasons

Need of each Persian king to outdo predecessor- Cyrus gained land from
Media to Ionia, Cambyses took Egypt, Darius gained a foothold in Europe,
what was left for Xerxes

Battle of Marathon

(Decisive Battles Video)

Reasons for Victory

Only large battle plain was at
Marathon which unfortunately had
mashes that affected the battle
Greeks are neighbours fighting for
independence with Hoplon soldiers
and Phalanx (armour) vs. very little
protective armour worn by Persians
who all came from different places
within Persian empire with no
common language, fighting because
they were told to
If Persians lost theyll probably be
killed
Greece didnt want Hippeas to gain
crowd
Tyritus took roughly half the army
from Marathon to Athens to try and
capture Athens
Greeks with Phalanx didnt stick
with typical out lie- they ran when
arrows shot rather than walked,
they had 4 rows along the line of
the Phalanx rather than normal 8,
which was just on edge.
Persians underestimated Greeksonly limited number of soldiers can
come on ships
Greeks had heavy defensive armour
in comparison to Persias light

Contribution of Miltiades
Commander of all army
Miltiadess scouts uncovered rouse
of Tyritus and so they realised it was
the opportune moment to strike
whilst Persia couldnt unload the
cavalry and they had roughly the
same size
(Seizing Kairos) the opportunity to
seize the moment
Strategy- instead of deep
rectangles, he makes elongates the
army with a weak centre and strong
wings- the wings close and encircle
the Persians
Told Phalanx to run when bows were
shot

cavalry missile power

Greeks familiar with territory, unlike
Persians

Battle of Marathon, 490BC

Classic examples of
o Land power vs sea power
o Heavy infantry shock system vs. light cavalry missile power
o 4 types of Amphibious Operation
Athenians
o Led by Miltiades and Callimachus
o 10,000 troops
o Phalanx formations
o Heavy Infantry
o Shock Action/ No firepower
o No cavalry
o Unbreakable front, vulnerable flanks
Persians
o Led by Darius
Datis- Army Commander
Artaphernes- Navy Commander
o 600 galleys
o 10-15,000 troops
o Light force
o Primarily cavalry
o Missile power, no shock
Reasons to invade Athenians
o Punish Athenians for supporting Ionian revolt in 499BC
o Secure west flank of Aegean sea for Sea Lines of Communication
(SLOC)
o To secure south flank for attack on Scythians
o To build Persian Empire
How Darius gets to fight
o By land, supported logisitically by navy
Persian strength- army
Not limited on number of troops
Long, difficult, time consuming route
Best option with Greeks
o By sea with an amphibious landing
Direct route
Persia is not a naval power
Size of invasion force limited by transport capacity
What happened in 490BC
490BC- Darius decides to conduct amphibious operation
Landed at Marathon because of Intel from Hippias, unopposed landing site,
draw garrison army out of Athens, Conduct an amphibious envelopment

on an unprotected Athens, Marathon supposedly had good terrain for

cavalry- it doesnt. Too swampy
Conduct of battle
o Athenians attack Persians on beach
Extend phalanx, reinforce flanks and thin centre
They anchor the flanks along terrain obstacles
Persians push through the weakened Greek centre
Strong Greek flanks destroy lightly armed Persian flanks, and
collapse on the Persian centre (double envelopment)
Hand-to-hand combat- decisive victory for Athens
What then happened
o Persian forces still attempted an amphibious envelopment on
Athens
o Successful Athenians returned to the city via inland, direct route
o Spartan reinforcements arrived
o Political intrigue did not manifest in fall of Athens
o End result: Persians unable to land and conduct decisive battle.

Reasons for Greek Victory

GIVE PROOF FOR ALL

Armour and weapons- better armed and protected

Athenian and Pletenians better armed than Persians (Grieves- legs,
cuirass- upper body, etc) Persians only had Wicar shield
Lack of cavalry- which are main fighting force of Persians
Naval Power very important- if we can cut off their supply line, we can win
(if we cant, the amphibious style of Persia will ruin us)
Geography and terrain
Knowledge of Terrain- more neutralising to the strongest part of the
Persian armies- the cavalry
Miltiades tactics of rushing at Persian centre prevents Persians from taking
advantage of superior numbers
Skill and leadership of Miltiades clearly significant factor- time he spent in
Charanise taught him of possible Persian tactics, his ability to convince
people to make him general and convince war leader as well as devise
the best strategy
Greeks fighting for life and freedom for themselves and their families,
whilst fighting alongside friends and countrymen vs. Persians
multinational head fit which is not well trained together and lack of
understanding from one group to another- why are we here? Etc
Issues of Morel

Persian responsibility for defeat at Marathon

Persian inability to react to Miltiades leadership- lack of quality leaders

(?), language barrier
Language barrier due to multinational army/ miscommunication
Main fighting force not there- the cavalry are on a ship
Underestimated Greeks (particularly Greek morel)- thought they were
unbeatable
Overestimated the ability of Hippius, didnt value why Hippius was kicked
out in the first place- democracy and ability of the people to run their own
show
Was the wrong terrain- didnt use their cavalry
Armour!!

Historians about Invasion of 490BC- Battle of Marathonand Miltiades role

A R Burn: Persia and the Greeks

o the Greeks, with their usual incurable optimism,
underestimated the continuing danger. They returned in the
following years to the gratification of their internal grudges, while
Persia returned to the strategy of an advance round the Aegean,
convinced that greater forces would be needed for the conquest of
the Greek mainland
o Miltiades made sure the Greeks realised how big a threat that was
looming over them
J A R Munro: The Deliverance of Greece
o driven to attenuate his centre, he snatched victory out of its
defeat. Marathon was a triumph of the intelligent use of tactics,
discipline and armament
o Miltiades was the one who understood the Persian way of doing
things
o Miltiades understood Persian strengths and weakness and proved to
be master of timing
o Quick to seize best position and knew when to take offensive
Victor Ehrenberg: From Solon to Socrates
o Both sides had learnt a good deal about one another. The
Persians, in particular, must have realised the error of their
strategy; it was the obvious thing for them to return to Mardonius
plans On the Greek side the weakenss of the Persian infantry
made a deep impression, and the belief that Persian superior power
was not invincible created a false idea of the enemy

Inter- war period: preparation and developments in

Persia and Greece

Major developments in Greece and Persia 490-480BC

o GREECE

Athens-Aegina War (Athens anger at Aeginas decision to

medise in 490BC)
Athenian political developments and the rise of Themistocles
Greeks prepare for invasion (recalling ostracised and Greek
Congress held to plan joint Greek action)
o PERSIA
Internal Problems (death of King Darius and outbreak of
rebellion in Egypt)
The Persians prepare for war (only once Xerxes had
consolidated power)
Why did Xerxes invade? (Persias desire to avenge defeat at
Marathon)
490- Battle of Marathon, Persia defeated and return to Asia, Aegina
medises
489- Miltiades unsuccessful campaign against Paros, Death of the Spartan
King, Cleomenes
488- Death of Miltiades
487- War breaks out breaks out between Athens and Aegina that continues
throughout 480s
486- Egypt revolts against Persian rule
485- Death of Darius, Xerxes becomes King of Persia
484- Xerxes suppresses Egyptian revolt, Athenian general, Xanthippus, is
ostracised
483- Themistocles convinces the Athenians to use their newly discovered
silver wealth on building a fleet construction of canal at Mt. Athos
482- Athenian statesman, Aristides, is ostracised
481- Congress of the Isthmus at Corinth meets
480- Xanthippus and Aristides recalled from exile as a Persian invasion
looms

Athens- Aegina war

Aegina was strongest naval power in Aegean at time and Athens/Aegina

relations had been poor for a while
Athens thought Aegina would side with Persia at Marathon so Athens got
Spartan King, Cleomenes, to take 10 Aeginan hostages and give them to
Athens (by medism, Sparta was betraying Greece) which prevented Aegina
openly siding with Persian
With Cleomenes death in 489BC, relationship between Athens and Aegina
changed dramatically
Aegineatans demanded Sparta use influence to force Athens to return
hostages
Athens refused the request of Spartan King, Leotychides
War started as result
Attempted pro- Athenian democratic coup in Aegina led by Nicodromus
collapsed when Athenian help arrived too late. 700 democrats in Aegina
were executed

Athens won naval victory but subsequent siege of town failed when Aegina
gained support of 1000 volunteers from Argos. Athenians were routed as
they fled to ships
Tit-tat reprisals between two cities continued for 2 years

Athenian political developments and rise of Themistocles

Key internal political developments in Athens in 480sBC includes:

o Increasing use of ostracism
o Lessening importance of position of archon
o Growing importance in position of strategoi
Growing importance of strategoi would be crucial- gradually any Atehnian
politician of ability and energy would seek election as strategoi if he was
to have hope of making a mark in Athenian political life
By mid 480sBC, weapon of ostracism being used constantly- with main
reason for ostracism being men feared as potential tyrants
First two ostracised were Hipparchus and Megacles- both men related to
families that had been politically powerful in Athens recently and
suggested the democratic element in Athens was becoming increasingly
influential
Leading political figures in Athens at this time were Xanthippus, Aristides
and Themistocles, who were not feared as potential tyrants but ostracism
would be used either against them or by them to promote own political
power
Xanthippus was (one of those) responsible for bringing down Miltiades,
and as Herodotus says in Book VI, 136 Miltiades on his return to
Athens, became the talk of the town; many were loud in their censure of
him, and especially Xanthippus, who brought him before the people to be
tried for his life on the charge of defrauding the public. He was ostracised
in 484BC
Aristides known as the just and renown for honesty and integrity. He was
a major rival of Themistocles but was willing to work with is rival for the
good of Athens. Herodotus says in 480, around the time of the Battle of
Salamis, Themistocles was no friend of his (Aristides); indeed he was
his most determined enemy; but Aristides was willing, in view of the
magnitude of the danger which threatened them, to forget old quarrels in
his desire to communicate with him Aristides was ostracised in 482BC
Themistocles gained from ostracism of his rivals, but success far more
important to Athens than mere political rivalries. Themistocles and
Aristides had major policy differences which would have a major impact on
development of Athens- Themistocles political victory over Aristides which
would arguably save Greece in 480BC and would lead Athens on road of
imperial domination

Greeks prepare for invasion

In 481BC, Xerxs sent heralds to all Greek states, except Athens and
Sparta, demanding tokens of submission: earth and water- this suggest
Athens and Sparta beyond scope of any Persian mercy
481BC- congress of Greek states called which met on isthmus separating
Corinthian Gulf from Saronic Gulf- Sparta presided
o Hellenic league set up
o Decided that any Greek state which voluntarily medised would be
tithed wealth would be confiscated and a tenth given to God at
Delphi
o 31 Greek states at Congress but Northern states absent as they
knew they would bear brunt of early Persian attack and they did not
want to commit until they were sure Greek forces, particularly
Sparta, were going to be sent North to protect
Indication of Greek unity was fact that existing inter-state feuds put aside
(Athens-Aegina conflict)
o This meant two largest Greek navies would fight together against
Persia
Question of leadership considered
o Spartan leadership of land forces automatic
o Jealousy growing of growing Athenian power and Greek states would
only accept Spartan naval leadership- Athens yields to this
Appeals

How well prepared were the Greeks and the Persians leading up
to the Battle of Thermopylae?
Greek Preparation:

Battle of Marathon- starts building ships, silver mine in Lararium *suggest

used by Themistocles
o Very well prepared as built ship and strategy- naval preparation,
and importance of naval preparation
o Became 2nd most powerful naval supremacy
o Themistocles very important- forward thinking, got important point
across without being ostracised so good at speaking, etc
Battle at Marathon- Tyrany to Democracy
o Teaches you government system working
o Politically feeling well prepared
o Top of game at Morel (Athenian 152 dead archaeological evidence)
Interwar Period- most significant things done by Greeks
o 481- Started preparation of defence for Greek homeland

Very

Formation of Hellenic League- lets use our power to stop the

Persians
Stops all inter-Hellenic feuds- specifically Aegina and Athens
Sparta given command- both army and navy
Peloponnesian League, Themistocles wisdom that
theres no point squabbling between themselves so
hands over navy command
All states that had medised voluntarily should have their
lands confiscated and people enslaved
Sends 3 spies to Persia to investigate the Persian army at
Sardis (80,000 according to modern historians)
Xerxes psychological warefare- captures spies and
sends them through the army and then comes back
with report
Athens approaching colonies to request military aidSyracuse, etc.
well prepared- particularly middle of Freece

Persian Preparation

500- even before battle of Marathon, they were prepared and had Northen
States that had medised
Battle of Marathono Although they lost, it was insignificant to the Persian army but a
pinprick- ~~~
Interwar period
o King Darius dies, Egypt and Babylon revolt, so Xerxes has to control
revolts before he can deal with Greece
o Implemented carefully planned program- to ensure efficient and
safe movement as as well as victory
o 484-481 had various building projects
Took 3 years to build canal through Isthius
Not going to give Greeks Morel
Bridges were built over the Hellspont and river Strymon
Roads were also built and paved where necessary in order to
cope with wheeled transport
All projects built at once
Food depots were also located on route, particularly through
Thrace
Guard posts and courier stations were established to protect
Persian lines of communication
Extremely well prepared for all circumstances, except for armour- flawed
strategy and armour weapons not well prepared

Results of Artemisium and Thermopylae

Persian fleet had been reduced in strength by about half

o Herodotus suggests about 1/3 of fleet destroyed prior to this

Strategy changes- large number of ships needed to support, cant

split army- divergent actions around Greek mainland now not
possible
o The significance- the Greeks now can congregate in large groups
together because Persians cant go where they want and pick off
small groups of Greeks
Athens Evacuated
o People sent to Aegina, Salamis and Troizen
o Belief that some of older men and priests stayed at Acropolis to
protect
o Oracle suggested that wooden walls would be their defenseThemistocles oratory skills convinced them that the wooden walls
was their ships
Greeks gained time
o Most of troops sent to North- Thermopylae- survived another day to
fight later
o Fleet still in fairly good shape- but did take some loses at
Artemisium ( large number of Persian and Greek fleet destroyed in
storms before battle- but more Persians)
o Finds reason for others to fight for a common cause
20,000 of 80,000 lost at Thermopylae- Persians- 4,000 of Greeks beaten
Persians able to take central Greece by Greeks evacuating
Destruction of Athens follows closely as end result of battles- Athens open
for Persian revenge as evacuated
Delphi- Herodotus suggests that Gods saved temples
o

What allows the Greeks win the final war

o Time to reconsider strategies
o Storm and battle if Artemisium destroyed large number of Persian
fleet so they couldnt continue amphibious warfare
o Herodotus states roughly 20,000 men died in battles, 1/3 of fleet
wiped out in storm prior to battle

Evaluate the reasons for Greek victory and Persian defeat

Issue of Leadership
Role of Geography and the elements
Issue of armour, equipment and tactics
Role of Greek Unity

EVALUATE MAKE A JUDGEMENT

INTRODUCTION!!! 6-8 Lines long, clear introduction

Include dates and source names.

There are various reasons for Greek Victory and Persian defeat in the Persian
wars which lasted from 490-479BCE. However, from ancient and modern sources
such as Herodotus and Buckley, it can be stated that the most significant
reasons that influenced the outcome of the Persian Wars include the issue of
leadership, the role of geography and the elements, the issue of armour,
equipment and tactics and the role of Greek unity.

Issue of Leadership:
Write chronologically, decide who you will write about

One of the reasons for Greek victory is clearly seen in the superiority of
military leadership of the Greeks

Leonidas
o Decision to avoid fighting at Tempe
Important decision that came from understanding Greek
Strategy- wouldnt have been a navy there to support
o Delaying action at Thermopylae
Allowed strategy to unfold
Shows some sort of unified political action
o Leonidas courage and self-sacrifice
Someone who fought to the end and knew he had to die,
unlike Xerxes
o Impact of Thermopylae on Greek moral
Made them a lot more confident in the battle and influenced
these people

He stayed, with his own regiment, so that others may live to fight another
day; he keeps his place among the heroes, with all who have given their lives for
a good reason when they might have lived longer A R Burn

Themistocles
o Foresight in developing the Athenian Naval Power
Oratory skills, wooden walls being ships, the silver used for
navy
o Insistence of getting his way
Particularly at Salamis- understanding of need of evacuation
and that moving to Isthmus would be bad
o Willingness to employ questionable efforts for the Greater Good
(for Greeks)

Sending messenger to Persian Fleet to tell Persians the

Greeks are fighting so at their most vulnerable
Tactical naval skills
Fought at Artemisium and Salamis, and helped Eurobiades

Plutarch on Themistocles: . But the greatest of all his achievements was to put
an end to all the fighting within Greece, to reconcile the various cities with one
another and persuade them to lay aside their difference s because of the war
with Persia

Pausanias
o The ability to hold the Greek forces together
Platea 479BCE
o Ways of coping with logistical difficulties
Turns bad situation into victory
o Herodotus praises him and raves on about the importance of
Pausanias
Herodotus was pro-Athenian but praising Spartans highly

Then was the warning of the oracle fulfilled; and the vengeance which was due
to the Spartans for the slaughter of Leonidas was paid them by Mardonius- then
too did Pausanias win a victory exceeding in glory all those to which our
knowledge extends.

Eurobiades
o Effective relationship with Themistocles
o Accepts he doesnt know much about Navy
o Location skills- fighting in straits rather than Isthmus- accepted
what was being told

At the words of Themistocles, Eurobiades changed his determinationHerodotus

One reason for Greek Victory was the Greeks superior quality of leadership.
Greece had a range of intelligent military leaders, including Themistocles and
Leonidas, both of whom were instrumental in ensuring Greek Victory.
Themistocles has been accredited over the years as one of the reasons for Greek
victory. He had extremely good oratory skills which led to convincing Athens that
the Delphic oracle stating Hide behind your wooden walls actually meant build
a navy, and the silver spoken of was to be used to build said navy. His ability to
step as for unity is also instrumental in ensuring Greek victory. At the Council of
the Hellenic League, he stepped aside and allowed Spartans to lead the Athenian
navy. As well as this, he managed to stop inter-Greek fighting, such as the
Aeginan-Athenian war. Plutarch, in particular, praises Themistocles for being able
to do so. . But the greatest of all his achievements was to put an end to all
the fighting within Greece, to reconcile the various cities with one another and
persuade them to lay aside their difference s because of the war with Persia.
Leonidas is another very important leader for Greece. His significance lies in his

decision making and the effect of the choices he made. Mainly, his contribution
was going in to battle knowing that for the Greeks to win, he would have to die.
He was an influential leader whose courage and self-sacrifice left a lasting impact
on Greek moral. The aftermath of the battle of the 300 Spartans that left the
Spartans dead, but the Persians with significantly lower numbers served as
encouragement to the Greeks that they had to try and fight well so that
Leonidas death would not be in vain. It also encouraged them as they knew the
prophecy was now in the process of being fulfilled, so victory could certainly
occur.

Decision to avoid fighting at Tempe

Important decision that came from understanding Greek
Strategy- wouldnt have been a navy there to support
Delaying action at Thermopylae
Allowed strategy to unfold
Shows some sort of unified political action
Leonidas courage and self-sacrifice
Someone who fought to the end and knew he had to die,
unlike Xerxes
Impact of Thermopylae on Greek moral
Made them a lot more confident in the battle and influenced
these people

He stayed, with his own regiment, so that others may live to fight another
day; he keeps his place among the heroes, with all who have given their lives for
a good reason when they might have lived longer A R Burn

Reasons for Persian Defeat with the issue of leadership

Xerxes (480 and 479)

o Huberus- overconfidence and arrogance and rashness
Great administrator but not tactician and had dealt with a few
revolts well
The Persians
Didnt learn from mistakes- armour!
o Wasteful tactics
At Thermopylae, just keeps sending men in despite the fact
that there was no chance they could win and they were
continually being slaughtered.
SOURCE: Herodotus
Artemisium- I have heaps of boats so Ill keep sending them in,
despite not understanding the terrain
o Reckless ambition and youth
No experience, desperate for glory
Who did he listen to; advisor- Mardonius- who wants to be
glorified

Didnt just stop at Athens when they had revenge, but tried
to keep going

1 paragraph using these points

Well structures and includes sources!!! At least one source- try for 2.
In comparison, Persian leadership, specifically Xerxes leadership, lead to the
defeat of Persia.
Xerxes was over confident. His huberus blinded him to the point where he did not
learn from mistakes- that the armour needed to be changed. He was a great
administrator, but was not a tactician, so he listened to his advisor, Mardonius,
who wished for glory. Xerxes did not understand battle, and so employed
wasteful tactics, such as continually sending boats in at Artemisium, despite lack
of understanding of the terrain.

Their light clothing, and want of bucklers, were of the greatest hurt to them: for
they had to contend against men heavily armed, while they themselves were
without any such defence. Herodotus
Moreover, they (the Greeks) had the training and discipline to make their
superiority tell. The victory at Plataea was won, not by strategic skill, but by the
material equipment and training of the Greek infantrymen- Raphael Sealey

The Role of Geography and the Elements

In order to invade Greece, Xerxes forces had to march through Asia Minor,
cross the Hellespont, travel through Thrace into Northern Greece, and then
Attica
The fleet attempted to keep in contact with the army by hugging the
coastline
This fact alone presented the Persians with major problems
o Lines of communication and supply were long
If storms come up, theres nowhere to hide
Storms come up, it takes days to go from 1 end of
army to other end so cant tell people
o Necessity of living off the land
Geography of Greece not conducive to the yields the massive
Persian army would need
o Naval failures would jeopardise the land and sea strategy of the
Persians
Sepias storm
Indecisive results around Artemisium
o Existence of Narrow passes in Northern Greece

Thermopylae
Very few open plains
o Tightness of strait of Salamis greatly assisted Greek tactics
Highlight value of ships in Ancient world, large numbers of ships gone, 170
men on each ship, moral.
Highlight role at Thermopylae- calvary (also Marathon, and Salamis
straits)

Issue of armour and equipment

Greeks had major advantages in terms of armour, equipment and military

tactics
Better armed and equipped
o Details: Explain armour and weapons
o Use terminology
Tactics: Phalanx, discipline of much more experienced army
o Sparta, battle of Plataea
Style is to fight from distance- archers with Persia, Greek style hand to
hand combat
Persians lacked armour- wicker shield
o This style worked for Persians for long time, but Greek geography
and tactics neutralised normal Persian advantages and gave
advantage to Greeks
Evidence highlighted at Thermopylae and Plataea

Issue of Greek Unity

Word Greece geographical description, not political unity- not nationalist

unity
Dozens of independent city states constantly at heads with each other
What was remarkable during this war was cohesiveness of Greek forces
Congress at Corinth- 481 and 480, leading to Hellenic league
Serpent Column is archaeological evidence listing 31.
Pausanias commanded 24 polis at Plataea
Troizen Inscription (if used, state the issues with it)
Greek willingness to accept Spartan leadership shows unity; particularly
navy of Athens after Marathon
Athens and Aeginas willingness to stop fighting

Aristides (the Just)

General of his tribe and fought at the Battle of Marathon in 490BCE

o Plutarch says at time of Marathon, he was 2nd most powerful man in
Athens, behind only Miltiades
o Supported Miltiades at Marathon at going outside Athens to fight
His major opponent was Themistocles.
o He supported Aristocratic form of Government
Ostracised before the second Persian invasion
o Out maneuvered by Themistocles
Hes recalled from exile to play a significant role in 480BCE
Led the Athenian troop who attacked the Persians at the island of
Psyttaleia in 480BCE (Near Artemisium)
Led the Athenian Contingent at Battle of Plataea (479 BCE) (Appointed
Athenian general will full military powers) (Commanded 8000 Hoplites)
At Mycale, appointed a general
Plutarch (Aristides) (sturdy, steadfast character that was intent on justice
and incapable of any falsehood, vulgarity and trickery) Despite issues
with Themistocles, he worked for the good of Athens

Assess the career of Aristides during the period of 500-440BCE

Me: Aristides contributions to the Athenians in the period of 500-440BCE was
significant in the campaigns against the Persians. He was a general and helped
lead the Greeks, specifically Athens, to victory in the Battles of Marathon (490),
Psyttaleiaa (480) and at Plataea (479). He also was significant in helping to
organise the Delian league. Sources such as Plutarch state how Aristides worked
for the good of Athens despite issues with Themistocles, living up to his
nickname of Aristides the Just.
Aristides contribution to the Athenians in the period of 500-440BCE was
significant in the campaigns against Persia. Despite being ostracised from
Athens, as a result of his good leadership at the Battle of Marathon, he was
recalled in 480 to assist as a leader with the battles at Artemisium, Plataea and
Mycale. He also played a significant role in helping organise the Delian league.
Plutarch states that despites personal issues, he consistently worked for the
goods of Athens, living up to his nickname of Aristides the just

Aristides played a significant role in the wars against the Persians, though he had
his political setbacks in the 480s BCE: Dates, Marathon, 2 nd to Miltiades

Aristides played a significant role in the wars against the Persians. During the
Battle of Marathon in 490BCE, Aristides acted as second fiddle to Miltiades.

Sir: Aristides played a key role in the campaigns against the Persians. Though
out-maneuvered by Themistocles in the 480s, he returned to direct Athenian
and Delian League affairs. Trusted by one and all, Aristides was the key figure
behind the organisation and running of the Delian League.

Activities of the League

Using Source 9.22- Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, I, 98
1. Which Athenians were most influential in the formation and early history of
the League?
Whilst Aristides was instrumental in the early organisation of the league,
and Xanthippus was involved in the early naval actions of the League,
Cimon had the most significant contributions during this period.
2. Why does Thucydides think the action against Naxos is a significant
development?
Thucydides thinks that the besiegement of Naxos by the Athenians is a
significant development of Athenic imperialism. It was when Athens went
from being a popular leader to a tyrannical ruler of its allies.
3. Why does the Battle of the Eurymedon River appear to be an important
turning point in the Leagues history?
4. What were some of the reasons for revolts against Athens according to the
information given in this section and source 9.22?
5. According to Source 9.22, how have Athens relations with her allies
changed since the early days under Aristides?
Whilst the Delian league was under Aristides leadership, Aristides was
just and fair in all decisions. Whereas Athens relationship with her allies
after Aristides was poor, with Athens insisting on obligations being exactly
met,

Activity: Short Response

CIMON
Main source is Plutarch! (biographies)
Plutarch doesnt cover up Cimons issues- incest, etc
Describes him as admirable for his statesmanship, military skills and integrity

Who gained brilliant success against the barbarians yet he was also a moderate
statesman who succeeded better than any others in giving his country a
breathing space to recover from the violence of party strife- Plutarch
He was as brave as Miltiades, as intelligent as Themistocles and there superior
as a statesman
Son of Miltiades (Background)

480BCE- Supported Themistocles in the evacuation of Athens, fought bravely at

Salamis
478-477BCE- Cimon becoming more popular- admired for his leadership and
discipline of his men
477BCE- Cimon led an expeditionary group to capture Bizentium and Casptos

Democratic Developments in Athens Sheet- Timeline

Athens became leading maritime state in Greece as a result of radical

democracy of mid-5th century
Just before 500BC, foundations of 5th century Athenian democracy laid by
the reforms of the statesman, Cleisthenes
Essential feature of 5th century Athenian democracy is the gradual transfer
of political power from the old aristocratic families, represented by the top
property classes of the state, to the mass of the population, including the
lowest class, the thetes
Democratic reforms
o 487BC- Archons chosen by lot
o 487BC- Introduction of use of ostracism
o 462-461BC- Ephialtes reforms the Areopagus, Powers given to
Ekklesia, Boule, jury courts
o 458-457BC- Archonship opened to the third property class, the
zeugitae
o 457BC- Pericles introduces payment for jurors (payment for
magistrates adopted later)
o 451BC- Citizenship law of Pericles

487BC- The archonship and selection by lot

In 501BC, strategos had taken over some of the archons functions

Battle of Marathon demonstrated the ambiguity surrounding the
relationship between the archon and the strategos, Callimachus, the
polemarch (chief archon) was technically in charge but the strategos

Miltiades had been elected by popular vote and possessed military

experience
This situation showed that the chief archon was clearly less important and
from this time on, the office declined in prestige
Before 487BC, archons were directly elected
Aristotle- when they selected ,for the first time since the tyranny, the
nine archons by lot through the tribes, from among 500 candidates
previously elected by the demesmen. Previously, the archons had all been
elected by vote. (Constitution of Athens)
Archons now chosen by lot by 2 top property classes- pentakosiomedimni
and hippeis
Consequences include
o Loss of status
o Office of strategos became important military and political position,
for the generals gained the command of the fleet and the army
o Decreasing the importance of the archons also devalued a role of
the aristocratic council of the Areopagus.
As this council was made up of ex-archons it would not take
long for the change to selection by lot to alter the makeup of
the Areopagus, and with it the status and respect it had
previously enjoyed Thorley, Athenian Democracy
By 457BC, archonship opened up to 3rd property class (zeugitae) and
sometime after that to the thetes
o Therefore increased opportunity for ordinary Athenians to
participate and fewer distinguished men being chosen
Aristocratic idea that political office required special expertise was giving
way to the radical ideal that there should be equal involvement of all,
except in military affairs.
o Policy was being made by large popular bodies and the magistrates
were carrying out the will of the people. Direct election, however,
was still used for those officilas whose roles did require expertise,
such as the generals, architects nad supervisors of public works

462-461BC: Reform of the Areopagus by Ephialtes

458-457BC: Archonship opened to the zeugitae and to the thetes

457BC: Introduction of payment for jurors

451BC: Citizenship law of Pericles

Explain the development of Athenian democracy during this period of 500440BCE

Methods of Athens Control: Nature of Athenian

Imperialism

Navy
o Can use League navy to intimidate and siege allied
o Thasos and Naxos
o Promoted prositively
o Safer trade routes
Cleurgies
o V. effective way of controlling allies
Garrisons
o Served as political purpose- job to protect Athenian officials who
were setting up democratic governments/ governments favourable
to Athens
Democratic Governments
o At start of league, types of governments between allies varied
o By 446, the main form of government was democratic
Athenian Officials
o According to Aristotle, at the height of the Athenian empire, there
were 700 overseas officials
o Episkopoi
Visiting mediators sent from Athens to investigate, make
reports about whats happening in other allied states.
o Phrourarchoi
Garrison commanders
Expected to keep an eye on local politics
o KEEP AN EYE ON LOCAL POLITICS
Oaths of Loyalty
o Original oath and permanency and Aristides
o Chalcis Decree, etc.
o More than just Athens, also governments being put in states
o