Xerxes War on Greece 480-479 BC

Episode 14 Xerxes War 480-479 BC

The Persian Empire

Dr John W I Lee (2012)

Film Review

In Persia’s second attempt to conquer southern Greece, Xerxes used a dual land/sea approach. His land forces included 10,000 cavalry and 80,000 infantry, made up of Persians, Medes, Eastern Iranians, Bactrians, and Ionian and Thrace hoplites (non-professional citizen-soldiers) and 10,000 elite palace guards. The Persian infantry was armed with bows, spear and daggers. Most archers were paired with shield holders to protect as they fired their arrows. Calvary members carried both lances and bows.

At the start of the campaign, Xerxes ordered 400-600 triremes (ancient rowed warships – see The Ultimate Warship of Ancient Greece) to et off from Egypt, Phoenicia, Silicia and Ionia. Following the Aegean Coast from Anatolia to the northern Greek mainland, Xerxes’ cavalry and infantry set up supply dumps in Thessaly, Thebes and Macedon after they capitulated rather than do battle.

A total of 30 Greek city-states, led by Athens and Sparta, resisted the Persians with a total of 40,000 hoplites. Owing to their inferior numbers, they postponed attacking the Persians until the reached the narrow passes of Thermopylae and Artemesium that left them little room to maneuver.

At Themopylae, 7,000 Greek hoplites under the leadership of Leonides defeated the Persian land troops. The latter recovered sufficiently to continue south to burn Athens, simultaneously sending their navy to attack the island of Salamis, where the vast majority of Athenians had fled. Outmaneuvered the Persian fleet suffered serious damage and withdrew. With no sea support, the Persian land forces were also forced to withdraw for the winter.

After Xerxes withdrew to Sardis, the Persian general Mardonia retook Athens in spring 479. Marching from Sparta, the allied Greeks attacked the Persian camp at Plataea. Lacking a cavalry the Greeks employed a heavy infantry armed with shields and spears, reinforced with light infantry who threw javelins and stones. Once they killed Mardonis, the Persians fled. The Greek allies also sent a fleet across the Aegean to attack the Ionian coast where they won several battles.

Hostilities continued for years.

https://www.kanopy.com/en/pukeariki/watch/video/15372393/15372444

About The Author

Jeffrey L. Klump

I am 62 years old and widowed with 2 children. I live in Creve Coeur, MO. USA which is a suburb of Saint Louis. I am a Digital Marketer, Blogger, Writer, SEO Expert, and Work from Home Business Opportunity Specialist. I am the owner & administrator of the MEK Enterprises Blog. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you.

See author's posts