Why did Persian invade Greece?

Why did Persian invade Greece?

The invasion, consisting of two distinct campaigns, was ordered by the Persian king Darius the Great primarily in order to punish the city-states of Athens and Eretria. Darius also saw the opportunity to extend his empire into Europe, and to secure its western frontier.

Did Persia try to conquer Greece?

Persia had a huge empire and had every intention of adding Greece to it. This humiliation led to the attempt to conquer Greece in 480-479 BC. The invasion was led by Xerxes, Darius’s son. After initial Persian victories, the Persians were eventually defeated, both at sea and on land.

Why did Xerxes want to destroy Athens?

With the Persians’ naval superiority removed, Xerxes feared that the Greeks might sail to the Hellespont and destroy the pontoon bridges. All of the Persian forces abandoned Attica, with Mardonius over-wintering in Boeotia and Thessaly. Some Athenians were thus able to return to their burnt-out city for the winter.

How did Xerxes get to Greece?

Modern scholars estimate that Xerxes I crossed the Hellespont with approximately 360,000 soldiers and a navy of 700 to 800 ships, reaching Greece in 480 BCE. He defeated the Spartans at Thermopylae, conquered Attica, and sacked Athens.

Why did Xerxes invade Greece in 490 BC?

Xerxes had spent years planning his invasion of Greece. It was to be his ‘divine punishment’ for his father Darius’ crushing defeat at Marathon in 490 BC. It was a suicide mission, designed to detain the Persians just long enough for the rest of the Greek allies to gather their forces.

Why did the Persians want to invade Greece?

They wanted to invade Greece because Greece sent soldiers to help the revolting Greek cities. How might the Persian wars have ended if the Spartans had not slowed the Persians at Thermopylae?

What did King Philip want to do with Greece?

With Greece under his control, Philip looked toward Asia. He wanted to free all Greek cities under Persian control. In 336 B.C. Philip sent a small army to Asia. He planned to send his entire army there later. King Philip did not live to fight the Persians.

Why was the Battle of Chaeronea so important?

In 338 B.C. his army defeated Athens and its allies in an important fight known as the Battle of Chaeronea (ker»uh»NEE»uh). With this victory Philip gained control of most of the Greek peninsula. The Macedonians did not take over Greece to destroy it. Philip greatly respected Greek culture and sought to preserve it, not end it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWZiIYEQoRU