Abstract

Scholars have recognized that the Persian and Greek wars were a defining point for East/West relations. They were not only a clash of militaries but also a clash of cultures, social customs, and worldviews as well. Had Persia won those wars, Europe and the West would look vastly different today. In this study we try to explore the concept of “The Persian Wars” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Persian Wars”. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for wars and tries to describe the overall effect.

The Persian Wars

Introduction

The Persian Wars, basically it was a war. It was the battle between the Greeks and the Persians in the years 490 and 479 B.C.E. The major clash between the Greeks and the Persians started in Ionia, home of Herodotus. Several Pre-Socratic philosophers think it began because of the empire building (land hungry). The Persians tried to take into custody and bring the Ionians under their authority and power. The Persians were doing well with some of the Ionian Greeks but others inquired the mainland Greeks for help out as they did not desire to be ruled by the Persians (Ohmstead, 23).

Discussion

Ionian Revolt

The wars began in 490 B.C.E. but the Persian and Greek argument began as a revolution in 499 B.C.E. Referred to as the revolt in Naxos (or the Ionian Revolt in Asia Minor), the revolution started because the Persians required to enlarge their rule into the Cycladic islands that was off the coast of Asia Minor. The Persians started by attacking the Island of Naxos. Aristagoras, a Greek who was a close advisor to the Persian King Darius, led the Persian attack on Greece. After four months, Naxos did not fall and the Persians had to withdraw (Martin, 12).

Battle of Marathon

The first battle was in 490 B.C.E. and is referred to as the Battle of Marathon. This conflict marked the Persian's first attempt to conquer mainland Greece. The Persians sailed their fleet of ships to the northwest coast of Attica, in the plains of Marathon. The Persian army had about 25,000 men and 600 ships while the Greek army only had about 9,600 men and no ships. King Darius and Artaphernes led the Persians and a Persian general named Miltiades led the Greeks. In the end, the Persians were defeated by a much smaller number of Greeks. The Greeks used the large number of Persians to their advantage by surrounding them on three sides Athens and them squeezing them together.

Many Persian fighters were killed but others managed to get away and run toward their ships so they could sail to safety. The Greeks chased them and attacked the ships - they even captured seven of the ships. This army better trained and with more endurance had marched over land, while the Persians went back to their ships. The Greeks surprised the Persians as they sailed in because they were ready to fight again but at a different location! The Persians losses ...