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The Greco-Persian Wars or Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire that started about 500 BC and lasted until 448 BC. The expression "Persian Wars" usually refers to either or both of the two Persian invasions of the Greek mainland in 490 BC and in 480-479 BC; in both cases, the Greeks united successfully to defeat the invasions.
Historical Sources
What we know of this conflict comes exclusively from Greek sources. Herodotus of Halicarnassus after his exile from his home town, in the middle of the 5th century BC travelled all over the Mediterranean and beyond, from Scythia to Egypt collecting information over the Persian Wars and other events that he complied in his book Ιστοριης Απόδειξη (known in English as The Histories). He begins with Croesus's conquest of Ionia and ends with the last joint campaign of the Athenians and Spartans in 479 BC. He repeats what was told to him by his hosts and sponsors without subjecting it to critical control, thus giving us at times the truth, at times exaggerations and at times political propaganda. However ancient writers consider his work much better in quality than that of any of his predecessors which is why Cicero called him father of history.
Thucydides the Athenian intended to write a book from where Herodotus ends until the end of the Peloponnesian War in 404 BC. Unlike Herodotus that he mocks he cross-checked his sources and gives rather accurate information on his book Ξυγγραφη (known in English as The Pelopennesian War). Unfortunately he died before he could complete his work, and only gives a full account of the first twenty years of the Peloponnesian War and little information on what happened before.
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Classical Studies :: Arts
Greece :: Ancient
Persia :: Ancient
contemplating what to read first from the christmas presents. "Ãzenetek egy marslakótól" or a book about the Greco-Persian Wars...
balazsgazdag (Balazs Gazdag) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:00:47 -0000
contemplating what to read first from the christmas presents. "Üzenetek egy marslakótól" or a book about the Greco-Persian Wars...
RT @gidgetwidget: 12:58 --- Stir the fire, mumble something about the Greco Persian Wars>The 300.
dts3204 (Ken Miller) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:18:29 -0000
RT @gidgetwidget: 12:58 --- Stir the fire, mumble something about the Greco Persian Wars>The 300.
*blink, blink* RT @gidgetwidget: 12:58 --- Stir the fire, mumble something about the Greco Persian Wars
michellechase (Michelle ) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:59:23 -0000
*blink, blink* RT @gidgetwidget: 12:58 --- Stir the fire, mumble something about the Greco Persian Wars
12:58 --- Stir the fire, mumble something about the Greco Persian Wars
gidgetwidget (The Gidget Widget) Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:58:44 -0000
12:58 --- Stir the fire, mumble something about the Greco Persian Wars
500
Aeschylus - The Persians - A play written in 472 B.C.E. of the earliest account of the wars as translated by Niall McCloskey and John Porter.
Ancient History - The Persian Wars - Short essays with further readings.
Dr. J's Illustrated Persian Wars - Images and descriptions of battlefields and events.
Herodotus - Artemisia at Salamis - Selection from The History, 480 B.C.E.
Herodotus - Solon and Croesus - A story of an encounter from The Histories.
The Battle of Salamis - An overview of the battle with emphasis on origins and aftermath.
Meta Description: [ Salamis was a crucial battle in the struggle for historical dominance between east and west. ]
The Battle of Thermopylae - Radio programme considers the significance of the battle with audience comments.
Meta Description: [ In Our Time Presented By Melvyn Bragg explores the history of ideas, latest: The Battle of Thermopylae. ]
The Greek and Persian Wars, 499-386 B.C. - Online book that explores the background and course of the wars by Philip De Souza, 2003 by subscription.
Meta Description: [ The Greek and Persian Wars, 499-386 B.C. Book by Philip De Souza; 2003 ]
The Persians - A play as written in 470 BC by Aeschylus translated by Robert Potter.
Themistocles - Biography by Plutarch written 75 A.C.E. and translated by John Dryden.
Meta Description: [ Themistocles by Plutarch, part of the Internet Classics Archive ]
Themistocles - A brief biography.
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