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Period: 490 BCE to 479 BCE
Persian Wars
The Persian Empire tried to conquer Greece three times, but failed. The Persian Empire wanted their revenge after Athens helped one of their colonies rebel. The first official battle, Battle of Marathon, was won by the Greeks using the Phalanx formation. The second battle, Battle of Thermopylae, was a united front of all Greece to stop Xerxes from taking Athens, which they won. The final battle was the Battle of Salamis. It was a sea battle in which the Greeks sank 1/3 of the Persian fleet. -
461 BCE
Percles leads Athens
Athens became very wealthy and powerful as the leader of the Delian League after the Persian Wars. Athen's economic growth led to the Golden Age of culture and democracy. Pericles was the leader of Athens during the Golden Age. He increased democracy and created the strongest navy in Greece at the time. The Golden Age brought along a new era of classical art, theatre, and politics in Greece. -
431 BCE
Peloponneesian War Begins
Athens became too powerful as a leader of the Delian League. It built a powerful navy and trading empire. Many city-states thought Athens had become too power hungry and wanted to leave the league, but were met with resistance from Athens. Athens conquers all city states that try to leave. Sparta has enough and creates the Peloponnesian League to counter the Delian League. -
323 BCE
Alexander the Great Dies
In his lifetime, Alexander the Great conquered Greece, Anatolia, Egypt, Persia, and India. He died in Babylon at age 32, having just conquered a new empire. After his death, since he didn't leave an heir to carry on his legacy, his generals carved up his empire among themselves, bringing to an end to Alexander the Great's Empire.