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Study the origins of the Persians Wars. How did the Greek world assist rebelling
Ionian Greeks and what was the Persian reaction?
How Greek world assisted Rebelling Ionian Greeks
The Persian wars are battles that were fought between the Persian empire and some of
the Greek City States that were on the coast of Asia. Cyrus the Great created the mighty
Persian empire where he conquered areas and allowed them to worship as they pleased as
long as the great king was given military service and an annual tribute.
The Ionians which are the Greeks who lived in Persia along the Aegean coast began a
revolt led by Miletus tyrant, Aristagoras. The Eretria and Athens on the Greek mainland
helped the Ionian Greek to burn the Persian city of Sardis. The Greeks remained together
although despite their small population compared to Persian. What mainly made them be
together was that they spoke Greek. The Athenians built warships with silver mine they had
discovered that helped them defeat the Persians at Salamis Bay.
Persian’s Reaction
The Persian could not let this go unpunished. King Darius who as the king reacted at
Lade destroying Ionian ships and burnt Miletus city-state crushing the Ionian Revolt in
494BC. King Darius then turned his eyes on Eretria and Athens vowing to make them pay for
helping the Ionian Greeks in their failed rebellion. Darius planned to attack from the North,
but the two Greek city-states, Sparta and Athens never surrendered but killed King Darius
envoys. Darius invasion was also cut short as his navy was shipwrecked at the cape o Mount
Athos. He started another invasion destroying Eretria city-state. This was important as it
helped the Greeks independent.
