Greek victory over the Persians in 490 to 480/479 BC Essay

Assess the rea tidingss for the Grecian achievement oer the Iranians in 490 to 480/479 BC. Make a judgement based on knocked out(p)come, resolvents and values.The intellectuals for the Hellenic supremacy once morest the Iranians in 490 to 480/479 BC was a mixture of exceptional cartroadership, skilful simulated military operation and strategy, superior weapons and soldiers, and Hellenic sensation. Strong provideership was the or so important aspect of the classical defence, as without the intelligence and intrepidity of the leaders, the classicals would have been easily landed. As a result of the excellent leadership Grecian tactics, strategy, and unity were greatly strengthened. Combined with their violate weapons and soldiers, the Greeks held the advantage and seized opportunities at the perfect moment. Also, with for each 1 victory the Greeks grew more assured of success and defiant of the Iranian attempts to invade. The poor organisation and disarray of t heir opposite led to an undermining of the Persian might and further improved Greeces chances of success. patronage the lack of official unity through and throughout Greece, umteen brilliant leaders from individual cities combined their skills and abilities to defeat the Persians. Greek leadership positive from sapless and conflicting to united and strong, manoeuvrely contributing to a Greek victory over the Persians as they promoted unity, strategy and a last to arrest their homeland. Without this self-colored leadership, the opposite reasons for Greek success would not exist as strongly. despite the Greeks strong defiance of Persia, Darius and many of his council still foolishly acceptd that they could easily bounce back the Greeks. They were short sighted as they saw only personal fame and honor to be gained, and as a result, did not prepare for the possibility of difficulties, and surely not defeat. This arrogance reflects the poor leadership from the Persian side, which aided the Greeks in defeating them.When Darius invaded, there was conflicting debate at Athens as to whether they should defend the city w eachs or meet the enemy. However Miltiades excellent leadership persuaded the council to beat supplies and leave the city if the Persians landed. This is seen in the Miltiades Decree. scorn world the Polemarch, Callimachus relied on advice from Miltiades who had in depth experience in Persian combat. As opposed to the Persians, the Greeks were impulsive to co operate in the defence of their country which directly lead to their success. Both Callimachus and Miltiades convinced the Athenian Assembly to send an army to Marathon.At Marathon, the 10 strategoi were equally divided in stopping point as to whether to round the Persians or retreat, as they were heavily outnumbered. A decision was made to effort, and each of the populars was disposed peerless day to hold in command. Aristides and three other(a) leaders gave their leaders hip command to Miltiades. This meant that Miltiades was in command for five out of the ten days of meshing, and due to the generosity of the other generals, was able to conservatively plan a much more effective attack over five days instead of one. When Miltiades was in licked that the Persian calvary was absent, he timed the attack to surprise the Persians.We know enough to realise the wizard of Miltiades generalship at every stage his decision to march to Marathon, his determination to attack, his grasp of the suitable opportunity, and his tactical disposition of the infantry line. (Hammond)It was this brilliance that allowed the Greeks to kick upstairs at Marathon, which directly increased their confidence and improved future chances of defeating the Persians.The Persian leaders Datis, Hippias, and Artaphernes were confident of a victory over Athens afterward their defeat of Eretria. Their experience at Eretria will have encouraged them to believe that there would be divisio ns among the Athenians at Athens, and possibly on the field. (Bury& Meiggs)They therefore did not predict the Athenians to challenge them at Marathon, and dismissed their own cavalry. This foolish decision costed them the fight as the Athenians would have been intimidated by the excellent Persian cavalry, which could have easily defended a Greek attack. It is this arrogance and poor cortical potential from the Persian leaders that added to a Greek victory.After the death of Darius, his son Xerxes was persuaded by his overconfident advisor Mardonius to attack the Greeks, and in doing so, Mardonius exaggerated Greek weaknesses and character. Even when Damaratus repeatedly told Xerxes that the sterns were the bravest and best trothers of Greece, Xerxes still mocked them for their appearance and actions. For four full days he suffered to go by, gestateing that the Greeks would run away. (Herodotus)Contrasting with Persias despotic and assuming leaders, Greece produced the finest leadership after Marathon. Themistokles was an example of excellent leadership, as he prepared for the possibility of renewed attacks from Persia. He fortified the Piraeus bay, and use surplus to build 100 new triremes to fight against the Persians.The pre eminent importance of his diplomatic negotiations was due in the first of all place to his insight in discriminating the potentialities of his city and in grasping her situation before any one else had grasped it and then to his energy in initiating, and his adroitness and perseverance in following, a policy which raised his city, and could alone have raised her, to the position which she achieve before his death. (Bury& Meiggs)Themistokles dodgy tactics and strategy emerged from his proud quality leadership, as he care fully selected the positions and methods for the Greek defence.Themistokles persuaded the Greek navy to battle against the Persians despite being outnumbered as Artemisium. Herodotus says that Themistokles ev en bribed some of the navy leaders to curb the Greek unity together. He again exhibited his leadership skills when he plan the attack on the Greek navy. Themistokles chose excellent timing and precision in attacking the Persians where the weather, tide, and pin down straits made it difficult for the enemy. At Artemisium, The Persian admirals did not know the coastal waters of the Greek peninsula, and they were comparatively unpractised in naval warfare (Hammomd) The Persians were unorganised as they did notexpect attack and evild because of their lack of competent leaders.At Thermopylae, Leonidas was a responsible, respected, and unfearing leader and despite facing inevitable death, he continued to fight for the Greek cause, whilst dismissing many of the other soldiers from battle because he tendered their safety. (Herodotus)Sparta was given overall command but did not abuse her powers as a leader. The fact that Sparta did not seek to extend her own Alliance and conjure her o wn supremacy, but favourred to treat as an equal with the other states and let them choose their leader, is an outstanding mark of her far sighted statesmanship. (Hammond). This again contrasted with the competitive and all-for-one nature of the Persian leaders, as the Greek leaders promoted unity and alliance.Themistokles also cleverly chose the position of the battle at Salamis so that the Greeks fewer numbers would be rigid at the biggest advantage- Themistokles had managed that a naval battle should be fought at Salamis, and under the conditions most favourable to the Greeks. (Bury& Meiggs). However the Persians were in earnest generalled and this spread chaos throughout the Persian navy.Themistokles made an super clever and daring plan to fool the Persians at Salamis. He sent a slave to tell Xerxes that the Greeks would attempt to escape during the night through the straits. The Persians faineant their energy guarding the exits and in the morning the Greeks successfully a ttacked them. Themistokles ingenious plan lead to the defeat of the weary Persians at Salamis, and once again proved that the chief(prenominal) reason for the Greek victory was the insightful and daring leadership shown at that time.Pausanius won the most splendid victory which history records (Herodotus) at Plataea. He found it necessary to withdraw from Plataea as the battle had developed into a stalemate. Whilst the Persian leader Mardonius assumed that the Greeks would be weak whilst they were ever-changing position, the Greeks counter attacked. But when the main body of Persians had drawn up in spite of appearancebowshot behind their fence of wicker shields, the order to charge was given, and the heavy Peloponnesian infantry dashed at a run upon the enemys lineThe result was decisive. (Kagan)The clever strategies used by the Greeks were a direct result of their qualified leaders, and lead to the defeat of Persia. All the locations and tactics chosen by the Greeks contributed vastly to their victory and was the second most important reason for the Greek triumph.Miltiades chose Marathon as a strategic site for the battle- the high lands surrounded both roads to Athens and hid the Athenians until the perfect moment to attack. overdue to Miltiades former knowledge, he knew that the Persians would be strong towards the centre, and so he placed the skilled Athenian infantry into wings to encircle the Greeks. Miltiades aimed at surprise the Persians and the men charged at the double and hurled themselves upon the Persian infantry. (Hammond)This was the first time such an attack had been attempted, and the creativity and excellent strategy was all due to the amazing ability of the leaders, Miltiades and Callimachus. The run created fear and confusion in the Persian ranks and allowed the Greeks to close in before the Persian bowmen could release their arrows. Despite the Persians breaking through the middle Greek troops, the Greek wings wheel around to attack the Persians from the rear, as Miltiades mean. He had even organised the attack so that the Persians could only flee north towards a difficult marsh, where many died.The Persians did not realise the Greek tactics and strategy, as they underestimated their ability. Instead they believed that the Athenians were grieving of their senses, and bent upon their own destruction for they saw a mere handful of men coming on at a run without either horsemen or archers. (Herodotus) As they were caught unaware, the Persians had little time to adopt new tactics for battle. Their strategic preparation was poor.At Thermopylae, Leonidas selected his position carefully, and fought in a narrow follow up in which the Persians had difficulty in passing through. This greatly advantaged the Greeks, as the narrow space could only admit a meek segment of the Persian army.They also had a stone wall to protect the army camp. In addition, the Persian cavalry were unable to fight in the small area, which w ould increase the Greek chances of winning dramatically. The Spartans planned strategies on drafting the Persians into the pass and would then wheel around and attack them.Themistokles understood that the Greeks were unable to fully defeat the Persians over land and selected Artemisium as the ideal location to battle their navy.At Artemisium the Greek leaders developed strategy of combining the triremes to form a circle facing outwards to attack the Persians. This plan overcame the disadvantage of being greatly outnumbered.Themistokles carefully chose the timing and position of the battle. The strategy of drawing in the Persian fleet into narrow waters meant that the enemy ships began to shake up with each other. Themistokles waited until the tide rose and began to push the Persian ships off course, the low-built Athenian triremes, which were less affected by the swell, rowed in to the charge and rammed their opponents, shearing their oars or holing their sidesA great victory had been won by tactical skill, by the use of the ram, and by the bit quality of the Greek marines. (Hammond)Despite development citizen troops, the Greek hoplites were better trained and equipped than the Persians. The hoplites wore bronze visored helmets, unanimous bronze breast plates, and carried longer shields and javelins. On the contrary, the Persians wore light armour, wicker shields and used bows and arrows, which became useless in close contact. The discipline in which the hoplites were famous for was shown through their ability to encircle the Persians and attack from the rear. In hand to hand combat their defeat of a more numerous enemy was due to their courage, spearmanship, general and the finest infantry labor in her whole history. (Hammond)At Artemisium, the navy was extremely well disciplined whilst facing many Persian ships surrounding them. They responded to ii signals and successfully formed a close circle to attack the Persians. This shows the exceptional skill from the sailors that contributed to their victory.Both the Spartan hoplites and the Tegeans were acknowledged as having great fighting skills and discipline at Plataea- by the superb spirit and skill of the Spartan hoplites, who proved themselves to be the finest infantrymen not of Greece alone but of the civilised world. (Plutarch, Aristides) consequently the incredible skill and ability of the Greek soldiers, combined with their superior weapons contributed immensely to their victory.The battle at Marathon was to be a direct planned attack by the Persians on Athens. After the downfall of Eretria, Athens united under their leaders like Miltiades and planned on how to save the city. Their put forward to Sparta for aid was reluctantly refused as the Spartans had an important religious festival to envision to. Despite Spartas inability, the Plataeans sent help in full force (Herodotus), and 2000 Spartans did arrive soon after the battle and congratulated the Athenians on their def eat. No one in antiquity doubted the sincerity of the religious scruples which had prevented them from participating in the battle. (Kagan?)Sparta and Athens now linked hands to resist the invasion as they were singled out by Persia as the Greek leaders. (Bury& Meiggs)In 481 BC the copulation at Isthmus united 31 Greek states to discuss the feasible Persian threat. Athens discarded her claim to leadership, knowing that the other states would prefer Sparta to lead. In doing so, a quarrel that may have divided the marrow was avoided. All past disputes were ended, and deadly enemies Athens and Aegina combined their naval superiority.The confluence of the Greeks was an attempt to combine all the scattered cities of the Greek world to defy the power of Persia. (Grote)Themistokles issued the Troezen decree so that all Athenians may in unity ward off the Barbarian (Troezen Decree) by calling back Greek exiles. This plan was clever, as the exiles like Xanthippus and Aristides combined their efforts to resist the Persians, despite being previously forced to leave their own country.At Thermopylae the Thespians stayed alone for their own accord, refusing to retreat and declaring that they would not forsake Leonidas and his followers. (Herodotus) Despite the number of forces association the army at Thermopylae, many of them, including the Spartans were unwilling to provide full assistant as they did not think it was feasible to defend the northern states. therefrom unity was at times strained and lacked the full force it potentially had.Mardonius attempted to offer peace with the Athenians in an attempt to undermine Greek unity and overpower the Spartans. However the Athenians angrily refused, displaying their courage and alliance with the Greek cause. Mardonius made a second offering, and he even believed they would change their minds. The underestimating of the Greek unity and Athenian determination was one reason why Persia failed to defeat Greece. Artistides declared that, so long as the sun continued in his course, the Athenians would attack the Persians with the aid of the gods (Kagan)The campaign of Plataea was the finest achievement of Greek unity. (Kagan)23 states took an oath of comradeship to fight together until the Persians were defeated, and over 100 000 Greeks joined the battles. In comparison with the Greeks, the Persians were ominously competitive. Pausanius and his second in command Artabazus were rivals and schemed to necessitate control and glory from each other.The strongest reason for a Greek victory against the Persians in 490 to 480/79 was the extraordinary ability of the leaders. This led to the next most important reason- the cunning tactics and strategies used by the Greeks. The skill of the Greek soldiers and their superior armour alsogreatly contributed to their victory, as only their bravery and aptitude would help them overcome the size of the Persian army. Unity was the least contributing factor throughout t he battles as it was inconsistent and was only actually significant when Athens and Sparta joined forces.