Lesson 9.1: A Time of Glory in Athens

Lesson 9.1: A Time of Glory in Athens

Background to the Persian Wars

• For centuries, Greek city-states fought each other over land and trade.

• They finally united in an effort to stop Persia from invading.

• Darius I, the leader of the Persian Empire, was determined to take over Greece.

The Persian Wars Begin

• In 492 BC Darius I sent a huge army over land and sea to invade Greece.

• Storms destroyed his ships.

• The Persian Wars had begun

Multiple Select

What were greek city-states typically fighting over? (PICK 2)

• land

• religion

• iron

• trade

Multiple Choice

Why did Darius I first attempt to conquer the Greeks fail?

• He was outnumbered

• His ships were destroyed by a storm.

• He was no match for the Spartan army.

• The Greek army rearranged their soldiers and surrounded his.

The Persian Wars: Battle of Marathon

• Darius I tried again 2 years later and out numbered Athenian soldiers 2 to 1.

• Athens asked Sparta for help... by sending a runner

• Guess how far he ran? (HINT: Look at the name of the battle)

The Persian Wars: Battle of Marathon

• Athens tricked Sparta by orginizing their hoplite soldiers differently and surrounding the Perisan soldiers.

• They defeated Persia all on their own!

Multiple Choice

Which city-state played the largest role in the Battle of Marathon?

• Sparta

• Athens

Multiple Choice

Athens sought help from Sparta in the Battle of Marathon by sending a _________.

• ship

• runner

• horse

• tweet

Multiple Choice

Athens ended up defeating Perisa in the Battle of Marathon without Sparta's help.

• True

• False

Xerxes Expedition: Thermopylae

• Sparta defended the mountain pass, called Thermopylae

• Persia broke through and captured Athens, setting the city on fire.

Xerxes Expedition: Battle of Salamis

• Meanwhile, Athens was defending the coastline with their navy.

• Persian ships far outnumbered Athens' ships.

• Athens withdrew to a narrow strait, where the Persian ships would be too long to turn quickly.

• They rammed into Persia's ships and sank them -- Athens won!

Battle of Plataea

• Sparta lead the Greek army to victory

• The result of this battle ended Persia's threat to mainland Greece

Multiple Choice

Sparta's contribution to the Persian Wars took place primarily __________________.

• at sea

• on land

• in the air

• under water

Multiple Choice

Athens' contribution to the Persian Wars took place primarily __________________.

• at sea

• on land

• in the air

• under water

Delian League

• Athens + 150 other city-states

• Vowed to fight Persia until they were free of them.

• Agreed to pay tribute to Athens in the form of money or ships.

• In return, Athens would use their navy to protect the other city states.

The Golden Age

(479 B.C. - 431 B.C.)

• Athens used the tribute money from the Delian League to rebuild their city.

• New government buildings, schools, temples, and theaters

• Contributions in art, poetry, education, philosophy, science, mathematics and medicine -- more on that later!

The Golden Age (aka The Age of Pericles)

• Pericles was slain by a what??

• But before that he lead Athens for 40 years, during their Golden Age

• Contributed immensely to Athenian democracy and laid a foundation for all future democracies, including ours!

• Built the Parthenon

The Parthenon

Multiple Choice

Where did Athens get the money to rebuild and flourish after the Persian Wars?

• they stole it

• from the Delian League

• Sparta supported them financially

• they increased trade

Multiple Choice

What did Athens promise to do in return for the money/ships given to them by the Delian League?

• Rename their city to Delia

• Build ships for the other city-states

• Use their navy to protect Greek coasts

• Write songs about them

Open Ended

Many areas of Greek culture flourished during their Golden Age. Name as many as you can remember.

Multiple Choice

Who is responsible for the construction of the Parthenon?

• Pericles

• Darius I

• Socrates

• Alexander the Great