The Greco-Persian Wars - PART II: The Aegean Campaigns and the Battle of Marathon (492-490 BC)

In the last episode of this series, we covered the rise of the Achaemenid Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great and its expansion into Anatolia and the eastern Aegean, including the predominantly Greek-speaking region of Ionia.  Though much of Ionia prospered under their new overlords, in 499 BC, the Ionians revolted with their help of their allies, including the city-states of Athens and Eritrea.  By 493 BC, what become known as the Ionian Revolt had been crushed, and order restored to the western fringes of the Persian Empire.  However, the empire’s king, Darius I, vowed to punish Athens and Eretria for their involvement in the uprising. The Great King of Persia sent several of his most trusted commanders to subdue both city-states and any others who opposed him, resulting in the first major armed encounter in Europe between the Greeks and Persians on the plains of Marathon. Drawing on historical sources and the latest archaeological research, this series will explore everything from the causes of the conflict to its key figures, the various phases of leading up to this epic encounter and its aftermath.  Contents:00:00  Recap and Introduction01:45 The Northern Aegean Campaigns of Mardonius05:10 Looking to the West08:18 Athens and Eretria09:49 How many Men and Ships?14:30 Island Hopping Around the Aegean16:33 Euboea and Eretria 19:23 Onward to Athens22:21 Decisions27:07 War it is! 29:33 The Battle of Marathon35:44 Counting the Dead38:57 If not by Land, then by Sea!40:00 Aftermath of Marathon44:41 Thank You and PatronsSupport the show