Lesson 2 - Persian Wars

What was the PRIMARY cause of the Persian Wars?

• The Greeks wanted to establish more colonies in Asia Minor.

• They fought over control of the trade routes of the Aegean region.

• The Greeks refused to allow the Persians to participate in the Olympic games.

• The Persians wanted to punish the Greek city-states for supporting Ionia's revolt against the Persians.

The Persian Wars began in 492 B.C. and ended in 449 B.C. How long did these wars last?

• 23 years

• 33 years

• 43 years

• 53 years

In 490 B.C., King Darius invaded Greece and was defeated at the __________________ by the Greek phalanx despite the Greek forces being greatly outnumbered. The was only battle of the First Persian War.

• Battle of Salamis

• Battle of Marathon

• Battle of Plataea

• Battle of Thermopylae

Darius’s son, ________________, was determined to defeat the Greeks and began the Second Persian War.

• Xerxes

• Leonidas

• Pheidippides

• Themistocles

_________________ led the Spartans and other Greeks against the Persians at a narrow mountain pass with the goal of delaying the Persians long enough to give the Greeks time to gather their ships.

• Themistocles

• Pericles

• King Leonidas

• Xerxes

The Spartans and other Greeks accomplished their goal by stopping the Persians at a mountain pass for 3 days at the ______________, but were heroically defeated.

• Battle of Plataea

• Battle of Marathon

• Battle of Thermopylae

• Battle of Salamis

The Athenian navy set a trap for the Persians at the ___________________ and destroyed the Persian fleet. This battle would determine the outcome of the war.

• Battle of Salamis

• Battle of Plataea

• Battle of Thermopylae

• Battle of Marathon

An oar-powered warship used by the Greeks and Persians was known as a _____________.

• trireme

• hoplon

• hoplite

• phalanx

Persia was finally defeated once and for all at the battle of _______________.

• Salamis

• Plataea

• Thermopylae

• Marathon

Athens was able to defeat Persia at the Battle of Marathon for the following reasons... (choose all that apply)

• Athens had more soldiers

• Athens had better military strategy

• Athens was wealthier

• Athens had better weapons