Greeco- Persian wars were a series of conflicts between Greece city states and Persian Empire between 500 BC and 448 BC. The beginning of the conflict could be seen with the conquest of Asia Minor by the Persians. Persians employed tyrants in several Ionian cities and forced them to pay taxes to Darius, the Persian Emperor. As a result, Ionians broke out in rebellion against the Persians with the help of Athenians. The revolt was crushed during the Battle of Lade in 494 BC.
Darius the Persian king wanted to take revenge on Greeks for helping Ionians. After a series of invasions, the stage was set for the Battle of Marathon. It was first major attempt by King Darius to conquer the remaining cities of Greece. Inspite of the absence of the timely help of the Spartans, the Athenians and Plataeans were able to defeat the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. The battle was very important in the history of the Greeks because it was the first major victory of the Greeks against the Persians. The battle helped the Greeks to regain their confidence which continued for the next three centuries.
In 480 BC, Darius's son Xerxes decided to take revenge on the Greeks and mounted a great expedition. Greek city states came together to fight against the Persians. The Greeks understood the importance of holding Xerxes as long as possible to build up their navy. The mountain pass of Thermopylae was chosen for the site of the battle due to its defensive terrain. The Battle of Thermopylae ended with the victory for the Persians, but the distraction helped other Greek soldiers to retreat to southern Greece. Eventhough, Persians won the war of Thermopylae technically, it was a great encouragement to the Greeks.
The Battle of Artemisium was a naval battle between Greek city states and the Persians in 480 BC. The battle took place on the same day of the Battle of Thermopylae. During the battle, the Allies got the report that they lost the land battle of Thermopylae and the Greeks decided to retreat. The battle was so important because it led to the major battle of Salamis
The Battle of Salamis was a decisive battle after the Battle of Thermopylae. Even though, the Persians won the Battle of Thermopylae, the Athenians were able to escape from Athens before the arrival of Persians. In 479 BC, Greeks stationed their fleet at Salamis, a straight between Athens and Salamis. In the following battle, the Persians and their allies were defeated by the Greek Navy. The Battle of Salamis was a turning point in the history of Greece. The battle also led to the growth of Greece and the birth of western civilization.
The Battle of Mycale was a decisive battle by the Greeks against the Persians in 479 BC. The battle began on the background of Ionian revolt. The Ionians called upon the Greek mainland states for help against the Persians. The end result was the War of Mycale. The war resulted in the destruction of the Persian forces in Ionia. The war led to the strengthening of Ionian league and later led to the Peloponnesian war .
The Battle of Plataea took place in 479 BC. The war was fought between Greek alliance and Persians. After the Battle of Salamis, Xerxes I put Mardonius in charge of conquered Greek territories. Even though Mardonius offered autonomous government to Athenians, they rejected the offer. Mardonius responded by capturing Athens. Athenians sought the help of Spartans. The battle resulted in the complete defeat of Persians. Persians no longer interfered in the affairs of the Greeks after this battle until the conquest of Alexander, the great in 4th century AD. The Battle of Himera was fought in 480 BC between Greece and Carthaginians under their general, Hamilcar. The victory of Greece at the Battle of Himera removed the Eastern and African threat to Sicily and the west