How did the Battle of Thermopylae change Western civilization?

The significance of the battle for Western Civilization While the Battle of Thermopylae was technically a defeat for the Greeks, it was also a victory in the long run because it marked the beginning of several important Greek victories against the Persians and boosted the morale of all the Greek city-states.

What happened to mardonius at the Battle of the Plataea?

Thinking the Greeks in full retreat, Mardonius ordered his forces to pursue them, but the Greeks (particularly the Spartans, Tegeans and Athenians) halted and gave battle, routing the lightly armed Persian infantry and killing Mardonius. A large portion of the Persian army was trapped in its camp and slaughtered.

What was the problem that led to the start of the Persian Wars *?

The conflict began after Athens and Eretria gave assistance to the Ionians in their rebellion against Persia and its ruler, Darius. Although Darius was able to secure the loyalty of many Greek city-states, both Sparta and Athens executed his ambassadors rather than give up independence.

What happened during the Persian Wars?

The Persian Wars began in 499 BCE, when Greeks in the Persian-controlled territory rose in the Ionian Revolt. Athens, and other Greek cities, sent aid, but were quickly forced to back down after defeat in 494 BCE. The end of the Persian Wars led to the rise of Athens as the leader of the Delian League.

What happened in the Greco-Persian War?

The Greco-Persian Wars were two conflicts that occurred between 490 and 479 BCE and pitted the Persian Empire against the Greek city-states. The conflict began after Athens and Eretria gave assistance to the Ionians in their rebellion against Persia and its ruler, Darius.

What was the aftermath of the battle of Thermopylae?

In winning this battle, the Persians were able to continue their conquest of Greece. They continued marching toward the City of Athens, dominating small towns along the way. Also as a result of their victory at Thermopylae, it spurred their navy to continue their attack upon Greece resulting in the battle of Salamis.

What battle ended the second Persian War?

The Battle of Mycale was one of the two major battles that ended the second Persian invasion of Greece during the Greco-Persian Wars. It took place on or about August 27, 479 BC on the slopes of Mount Mycale, on the coast of Ionia, opposite the island of Samos.

What happened to Xerxes after the Battle of Salamis?

Following the defeat, Xerxes returned home to his palace at Susa and left the gifted general Mardonius in charge of the invasion. The Persian position was still strong despite the defeat – they still controlled much of Greece and their large land army was intact.

How did Mardonius defeat Xerxes and conquer Greece?

In the cramped conditions of the Straits, the great Persian numbers were an active hindrance, as ships struggled to maneuver and became disorganized. Seizing the opportunity, the Greek fleet formed in line and scored a decisive victory. Xerxes retreated to Asia with much of his army, leaving Mardonius to complete the conquest of Greece.

Why did the Persian Wars of Salamis and Plataea matter?

The Persians made no further attempts to conquer the Greek mainland. These battles of Salamis and Plataea thus mark a turning point in the course of the Greco-Persian wars as a whole; from then onward, the Greek poleis would take the offensive.

Why did Xerxes bring the Persian fleet back to battle?

Although heavily outnumbered, the Greek Allies were persuaded by the Athenian general Themistocles to bring the Persian fleet to battle again, in the hope that a victory would prevent naval operations against the Peloponnese. The Persian king Xerxes was also eager for a decisive battle.

What if Xerxes had followed Artemisia’s strategy?

Artemisia was history’s first known female fighting admiral, and if King Xerxes had followed her strategic advice, Persia just might have conquered Greece, and the subsequent arc of what we today call Western civilization might have bent in a different direction.