Expansion
of the Persian Empire
Cyrus
(559-530) vs. Croesus of Lydia, ca. 544
Cambyses
(530-522) in Egypt
Darius
I, "the Great" (522-486): imperial ambitions
in
Europe; operations in Thrace and beyond the
Danube.
Phoenician sea-power plus Persian land
power;
mercantile competition in the west.
Collusion
with Hippias.
499
War, Phase I: Ionian Revolt and aftermath
|
|
Aristagoras of Miletus; Greeks of Ionia expel
|
Persian-controlled tyrants
498
Sardis burned
|
495
Persians defeat Greeks at Lade
494
Fall of Miletus
|
492
Mardonius's abortive invasion of Greece
|
490
Persian expedition (ca. 20,000 with cavalry) against
|
Eretria and Athens; Battle of
Marathon: 10,000
|
Athenians (and Plataeans) under Miltiades.
|
|
|
|
Intermezzo
|
486
Xerxes succeeds Darius I
483
Laurium silver strike / Themistocles
481
Formation of Hellenic League
480
Persians complete Athos canal and Hellespont ship-bridges
|
|
|
|
War, Phase II: Expedition of Xerxes
|
|
Persian forces: 100-150,000 men, 500-1,000 ships
|
Hellenic League forces: 30-40,000 infantry, ca. 330 ships
|
Greek commanders: Leonidas, Themistocles, Pausanias
|
480
Battles of Thermopylae (land), Artemisium (sea), and
|
Salamis (sea)
479
Battles of Plataea (land) and Mycale (land)