In On the War for Greek Freedom, a compelling work comprised of selections from Herodotus’ The Histories, Herodotus recalls many accounts of history that were relayed to him throughout his life and many travels. Upon returning home to Athens, he spent years putting together The Histories, an elaborate account of the Greco-Persian Wars (499-479 B.C.), and is now credited with being “The Father of History.” Herodotus aids the reader in learning all about the primary and secondary reasons and events that occurred, causing tensions to rise between Persia and Greece, resulting in an all-out war. Decisions and actions by the Greeks, Persians, and even the Spartans during times of great friction will be reviewed and analyzed below as well as the inevitability
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He blames the war on the Persian Empire and their imperialistic nature and hunger for power. Despite warnings from the Spartans, Persia invaded Greece around 492 B.C. This invasion of Greek settlements on Asia Minor triggered the first round of wars. Another cause of tension between the Persians and Greeks was a movement called the Ionian Revolution. Ionians were Greek settlers who lived in southwestern Asia Minor. They were pioneers in thought, questioning where things came from, religion, and politics. The way the Ionians thought posed a great threat to Darius, who built a successful system of satrapies and slaves. To much surprise, the Ionians and their allies marched north in 498 B.C. and captured Sardis, the all-important capital of Darius’ Lydian satrapy. The city was subsequently burned to the ground, causing Darius to jump at the chance to go to war with the Greeks. After winning a decisive battle at Miletus, the threat of Darius and the formidable Persian Empire caused the Ionian League to disband. What was left of the free-thinkers of the Ionian Revolution fled to Athens. “That, in turn, drew westward the jaundiced eye of the Persian king. War between Persia and Greece was all but inevitable at this
He blames the war on the Persian Empire and their imperialistic nature and hunger for power. Despite warnings from the Spartans, Persia invaded Greece around 492 B.C. This invasion of Greek settlements on Asia Minor triggered the first round of wars. Another cause of tension between the Persians and Greeks was a movement called the Ionian Revolution. Ionians were Greek settlers who lived in southwestern Asia Minor. They were pioneers in thought, questioning where things came from, religion, and politics. The way the Ionians thought posed a great threat to Darius, who built a successful system of satrapies and slaves. To much surprise, the Ionians and their allies marched north in 498 B.C. and captured Sardis, the all-important capital of Darius’ Lydian satrapy. The city was subsequently burned to the ground, causing Darius to jump at the chance to go to war with the Greeks. After winning a decisive battle at Miletus, the threat of Darius and the formidable Persian Empire caused the Ionian League to disband. What was left of the free-thinkers of the Ionian Revolution fled to Athens. “That, in turn, drew westward the jaundiced eye of the Persian king. War between Persia and Greece was all but inevitable at this