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Reasons for Greek victory in the Persian wars
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The people of Ancient Greece were involved in a significant amount of events and achievements with results of becoming established. An event involving early Greek civilizations includes the Persian Invasion, a war involving Greek’s city states opposing the Persian Rule. During this time a Greek Athenian soldier named Pheidippides ran twenty six miles to deliver the message of defeating the Battle of Marathon. Themistocles, an Athenian leader used special high militant tactics to conquer the slow moving Persians. Shortly after, the death of Alexander the Great was defined as the Hellenistic Age, which resulted in an influential time for Greeks politically. Earlier civilization assisted in Greece establishing a strong and independent culture
(http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/text?lookup-trm+ov+8.5&vers=engligh&browse+1). In conclusion, the Greeks defeated the Persians in the Persian Wars aided by unforgettable acts of heroism, divine support, and most importantly, Greek unity.
The ancient battle of Thermopylae has been retold numerous times and famously depicted on screen as a heroic and tragic Greek battle. The legendary Spartan King, Leonidas and his 300 formidable royal body guards led a coalition of Greek warriors against a much larger opponent, the Persian King Xerxes. Against the odds, the Greeks stood their ground and deterred Xerxes Army for 3 days at the Thermopylae pass, known as the Hot Gates. Xerxes might have won a tactical battle, however, the Spartans proved that superior training, equipment, and intimate familiarity with the terrain were critical force multipliers. The Spartan power, will and perseverance came from an undying sense of patriotism and duty. 300 Spartans and countless Greeks may have lost their lives at the Thermopylae pass but their courage rallied the Greek states to fight and prevail against a tyrant. The in-depth preparation, tactical expertise, the loyalty and courage these warriors displayed are the defining factors that made this battle a strategic win for the Greeks.
In 480 BC the Persian Empire was once again trying to invade ancient Greece. Under the reign of King Xerxes, an invincible army of a recorded 2 million was marching downwards to enslave all Greeks. An elite force of three hundred Spartans tackled the suicide mission of stalling the Persian wave of doom.
There are times in history that something will happen and it will defy all logic. It was one of those times when a few Greek city/states joined together and defeated the invasion force of the massive Persian Empire. The Greeks were able to win the Greco-Persian War because of their naval victories over the Persians, a few key strategic victories on land, as well as the cause for which they were fighting. The naval victories were the most important contribution to the overall success against the Persians. The Persian fleet was protecting the land forces from being outflanked and after they were defeated the longer had that protection. While the Greeks had very few overall victories in battle they did have some strategic victories. The Battle of Thermopylae is an example of a strategic success for the Greeks. The morale of the Persian army was extremely affected by the stout resistance put up by King Leonidas and his fellow Spartans. The Greeks fought so hard against overwhelming odds because of what they were fighting for. They were fighting for their country and their freedom. They fought so hard because they did not want to let down the man next to them in the formation. Several things contributed to the Greeks success against the Persian invasion that happened during the Second Greco-Persian War.
The Battle of Marathon was the one of the wars between Ancient Greece and Persia. There is three well known ones: Battle of Thermopylae, the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Salamis. Out of those wars between Ancient Greece and Persia, the Battle of Marathon was the most famous. Even though the Battle of Marathon was the most famous it was only five days long.
The Persian empire had grown from a small kingdom to an immense empire stretching from Troy to modern day Russia. King Darius was their leader at the time, strangely enough, Darius was an imposter to the throne. When the previous king had passed into the next life, Darius had pretended to be his brother and they all believed him. By 490 B.C. the new leader was Xerxes, the famed god king. Xerxes had just come to victory at the marathon and his troops were eager for another, the sight of the narrow pass between two mountains being defended by over seven thousand Greeks and three hundred Spartans.
It is always important to look to the past in order to move towards the future. This was done in the formation of Western Society, and more specifically the formation of American society. The Greek culture served as a frame of reference for many aspects of Western life including government, architecture, math and the arts. Ancient Greek culture served as a very broad base for our society to be built upon.
One of the most significant battles in antiquity was fought on the narrow, tree strewn plain of Marathon, in September, 490 BC. There, the Athenian army defeated a Persian force more than twice its size, because of superior leadership, training and equipment. The battle of Marathon has provided inspiration to the underdogs throughout history. In 490 BC, the Athenians proved that superior strategy, and technology can claim victory over massive numbers.
This attack on Greece, known as the Battle of Marathon, was the first Persian invasion of Greece (“Making Europe” 81). Without any help from the Spartans, the Athenians had defeated the Persians with minimal Athenian casualties, as mentioned in Making Europe, “The final toll was 6,400 Persian dead to 192 Athenians.” (81). This film is based on the Greek 480 B.C.E., after the death of King Darius, with King Xerxes as the new ruler of Persia (“Making Europe” 81). As Xerxes prepared forces for a second invasion of Greece, the Greek cities discussed the war ahead, as mentioned in Making Europe, “Greek cities met at Corinth to plan their defense” (81).
The epic and historic Battle of Marathon took place, almost 2500 years ago, 25 miles’ northeast of the present-day capital city of Greece, Athens, on the plains of Marathon. The adversaries were none other than the city-state of Athens (Athenians), and the powerful Army of Darius, the King of Persia (Persians). Darius sent his Army to subjugate Athenians and punish them for their alleged involvement in the burning and destruction of Sardis, the then capital city of Persia. The Persians were a far superior force. They had the numbers and the weaponry.
Western Europe. But how did this western way of life come to be? Their are many different
Could you imagine life in the United States today without concepts like democracy, libraries, the alphabet, art, philosophy, mathematics and certain architectural features? (Anonemuss, 2010) Everyday life would be completely changed without these innovations as well as many others. So where did we get these ideas from first? Well it dates back to the Greeks and Romans. Many aspects of modern life have been influenced from their cultures, ideas and inventions. Then there is also the question whether classical Greece or classical Rome influenced the contemporary United States more. In my opinion Classical Greece has had more of an impact on our lives. In fact it had been stated that the Greeks are considered the first group of people from ancient civilization in which our society feels like they can connect and relate t. (Kreis, 2000)
There are many different ways that modern cultures in the west have been impacted and built upon, but there are two ancient cultures that were the most influential. The Greek and Roman cultures helped shape Western Civilization in many ways. Both were very important factors in the development of Western culture. The Greeks contributed through art, architecture, government, philosophy, education, and science. The Romans contributed through language, engineering, law, and government.
The Greeks and the Romans, two completely different civilizations and yet so similar. They both had their different customs and traditions and may have been years apart, but they are the same, or as the same two different people can be. Both had the ability for greatness, and both were able to create a far reaching empire full of many different types of people.
Writing, record keeping, and literature are cornerstones of civilization as we know it. Without our predecessors developing alphabets and grammar and recording what was going on around them, modern day humans would not know where they came from. Humans also, however, have a tendency to destroy history. While ancient humans created books and libraries, they destroyed just as many, if not more. Writing has proved a very important practice to societies throughout human history and although ancient literature and writings that have been preserved enhance modern civilization, the inherent pattern of destroying libraries and books has likely inhibited the progress of humanity to a certain extent, because conflicting societies in ancient times would