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Classical Greece (500-338 BC)
Golden Age of Athens
Greco-Persian War
Persian Empire expanding
Egypt
Central Asia
Asia Minor (including Ionia)
Middle East
499 BC Ionian Revolt
Darius vows to destroy Athens
Attacks 490 BC
Battle of Marathon
Greek marched to meet Persians
Outnumbered but victorous
Second War
Xerxes leads huge force (number unknowned)
Demands surrender
Cross Hellespont move around Aegaena
Grands troops & navy
Battle of Thermoplyee
300 Spartans
Small narrow pass
Able to hold pass
Greek traitor Ephicaltes helps Xerxes to surround and defeat Spartans, others returned home
Battle of Salamis
Athens evacuated, destroyed
Warships off island of Salamis
Greek ships waiting
Themistocles deception (pretends to surrender, urges Xerxes to attack before too late)
Greeks victorious - turning paint to victory
Athenians experienced freedom, independence
Age of advances, prosperity
Economy flourishes