A Short History of the World Chapter 24 - The Wars of the Greeks and Persians

In which the vast Persian empire, under mighty rulers like Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius, stretches its dominion across ancient lands, yet finds itself resisted by the spirited and independent Greek city-states of Europe. The heroic stand of the Greeks against overwhelming Persian forces, marked by heroic deeds at Marathon and Thermopylæ and culminating in their unexpected naval victory at Salamis, halts the Persian tide and preserves Greek liberty.