Greeks Vs Persians – 490-442 BEC
- Outline the basic history of the events.
The Greeks and Persians were in conflict for many years and the conflicts involved several battles fought. The most significant wars in history were fought in Salamis, Marathon, Thermopylae, and Plataea. Between 490-422 BEC, several battles and sieges happens between the two cultures. The battle of Marathon was fought in 490 BC and Persians were defeated by a large Athenian army. Another battle occurred in Thermopylae in 480 BC, in which 300 Spartans and 700 Thespians were killed. In 480 BC, the battle of Salamis was also fought and it was as a result of Xerxes invasion of Greece (Campbell, 10). The Greeks defeated the Persian army and the Persian army was left dangerously isolated in the southern Greece. There was also the battle of Plataea which was fought during the Persian invasion in Greece. Other several Greco-Persian wars were fought and in the long run, Greece defeated Persia.
- How do the cultures values relate to the conflict?
The Greece felt that they had the best culture and no other civilizations could add anything to their beliefs. The Greek had embrace the western civilizations due to its proximity to Western Europe.. The Persians were inclined to government and architecture while the Greeks valued Science and literature. The Greeks were democrats while the Persians were monarchist (Cartwright); this brought rebellion by the Ionic Greeks and consequently, later conflicts with the Persians.
- How do the cultures believes relate to values?
The Persians were imperialists and monarchist but at the same time tolerant, diplomatic, and respectful towards other nations. The Greeks on the other hand, were democrats but they practiced slavery towards non-Greeks (Cartwright). The Greeks believed that their culture was superior and they were a bit racist and isolated.
- How did ways of communication and identity relate to the conflict?
The Persians had a social system based on communication and transport. Persians communicated through royal communication systems and pony express. Greeks used methods like acoustic signals, cryptography, and sending messages. In terms of cultural identity, the Persians were monarchist and imperialists while the Greeks were democrats. Such differences in communications and cultural identity contributed to the conflicts.
- What were the basic causes of the conflict?
The Greco-Persian conflict was cause by the revolt of Greek Ionians. The revolt was caused by economic burdens, Aristagoras, and unfair treatment by the Empire.
- Was the conflict resolved, if so how?
Yes. Both the Persians and Athenians got tired of fighting and Persians made an approach to open negotiations. Callias was then sent by Pericles to Susa, the Persian capital, for negotiations (Green, 30). The Greeks were given their autonomy and the Athenians agreed to stop the campaigns against the Persians in the treaty of Callias.
- In what ways, directly or indirectly, did these conflicts influence ideas, values, and believes in contemporary America?
The Greeks were the cradle of western civilization. With their victory in the Persian wars, their culture and western civilization was ultimately preserved (Cartwright). The contemporary America is western world and some values like democracy, sculpture, Olympic Games, theatre, and classical architecture.
Works Cited
Campbell, Duncan B. Ancient Siege Warfare: Persians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans 546-146 BC. Vol. 121. Osprey Publishing, 2005.
Cartwright, Mark. “Persian Wars.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 06 Apr 2016. Web. 06 Feb 2020. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/Persian_Wars/
Green, Peter. The Greco-Persian Wars. Univ of California Press, 1996.