The Persian Wars refers to the conflict between Greece and Persia in the 5th century BCE which involved two invasions by the latter in 490 and 480 BCE. Several of the most famous and significant battles in history were fought during the Wars, these were at Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea, all of which would become legendary. The Greeks were, ultimately, victorious and their civilization preserved. If they had been defeated then the western world may not have inherited from them such lasting cultural contributions as democracy, classical architecture and sculpture, theatre, and the Olympic Games.
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Timeline
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492 BCEDarius I of Persia invades Greece.
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490 BCE - 470 BCECorcyra does not participate in the Persian Wars.
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11 Sep 490 BCEA combined force of Greek hoplites defeat the Persians at Marathon.
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480 BCECycladic states contribute to the victorious Greek forces against the Persians at the Battle of Salamis.
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480 BCEThebes sides with Persia during Xerxes invasion of Greece.
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Jul 480 BCEXerxes I makes extensive preparations to invade mainland Greece by building depots, canals and a boat bridge across the Hellespont.
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Aug 480 BCEThe indecisive battle of Artemision between the Greek and Persian fleets of Xerxes I. The Greeks withdraw to Salamis.
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Aug 480 BCEBattle of Thermopylae. 300 Spartans under King Leonidas and other Greek allies hold back the Persians led by Xerxes I for three days but are defeated.
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Sep 480 BCEBattle of Salamis where the Greek naval fleet led by Themistocles defeats the invading armada of Xerxes I of Persia.
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c. 479 BCEEleusis is destroyed by the Persians.
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479 BCECycladic city states contribute to the victorious Greek forces against the Persians at the battle of Plataea.
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479 BCEXerxes' Persian forces are defeated by Greek forces at Plataea effectively ending Persia's imperial ambitions in Greece.
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449 BCE - 448 BCEPeace between Greece and Persia.
