Key battles

Question 1

Battle of Marathon

Answer 1

490BC
Land battle,Darius wanting to get revenge on Athens and Eretria for their support to the Ionians and to invade the whole of Greece

Question 2

Battle of Thermopylae

Answer 2

Aug 480 -
Land battle at the narrow terrain of Thermopylae between Greeks, 300 spartan with Leonidas against Persia

Question 3

Battle of Salamis

Answer 3

Sept 480
-Naval battle, between the straits of Salamis, between Greeks and Persia

Question 4

Battle of Plataea

Answer 4

479
-Land battle between Greeks and Persia

Question 5

Battle of Mycale

Answer 5

479 after Plataea
- Naval battle between the Greeks and Persia, where the Inonians desert the Persians

Question 6

Significance of the battle of Marathon

Answer 6

-Established Athens as a military power, boosting its prestige in Greece.
-The victory inspired Themistocles to push for a strong Athenian navy, crucial in later battles.

Question 7

Significance of Battle of Thermopylae

Answer 7

-Despite defeat, the battle delayed Xerxes’ advance, buying time for Greek preparations.
-Became a symbol of Spartan courage and sacrifice, inspiring future Greek resistance.

Question 8

Significance of Battle of Salamis

Answer 8

-Proved the superiority of Greek triremes in narrow waters over the larger Persian fleet.
-Greek naval victory that crippled Xerxes’ fleet, forcing him to withdraw most of his forces.

Question 9

Significance of the Battle of Plataea

Answer 9

-Marked the end of Persia’s second invasion and ensured Greek survival.
-Showed the importance of Greek unity, as multiple city-states fought together.

Question 10

Significance of the Battle of Mycale

Answer 10

-Led to the liberation of Greek cities in Asia Minor from Persian control.
- Symbolized the end of Persia’s dominance in the Aegean and the rise of Athens as a naval empire.

Question 11

Herodotus as a source for the battles

Answer 11

Herodotus may be biased towards the Greeks as he was one himself.
The death of the men at Marathon may be exaggerated

Question 12

Where is the statue of Leonidas erected and what is the inscription?

Answer 12

Where the 300 Spartan, Leonidas with the other Greeks soldiers had died,
Says, “come and get them!”

Question 13

Who had a better leadership? The Greeks or Persian?

Answer 13

The Greeks leadership was far more greater

Question 14

Who had a better leadership? The Greeks or Persian?

Answer 14

The Greeks leadership was far more greater