Battle of Plataea

Battle of Plataea
John Steeple Davis · Public domain · source
Conflict	Battle of Plataea
Part of	Greco-Persian Wars
Date	479 BC
Place	Plataea, Boeotia, Greece
Result	Decisive Greek victory
Combatant1	Greek city-states, including Athens, Sparta, and Corinth
Combatant2	Achaemenid Empire, led by Mardonius

Battle of Plataea. The Battle of Plataea was a pivotal battle fought between the Greek city-states, including Athens, Sparta, and Corinth, and the Achaemenid Empire, led by Mardonius, in 479 BC. This battle was a culmination of the Greco-Persian Wars, which included the Battle of Marathon, the Battle of Thermopylae, and the Battle of Salamis. The Greek city-states were able to defeat the Achaemenid Empire with the help of Aristides, Pausanias (general), and Cimon, who played important roles in the battle.

Introduction

The Battle of Plataea was a significant turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars, as it marked the first major defeat of the Achaemenid Empire on land. The battle was fought in Boeotia, Greece, near the city of Plataea, and involved a large number of Greek city-states, including Athens, Sparta, and Corinth. The Achaemenid Empire was led by Mardonius, who had been appointed by Darius I to lead the Persian Empire's campaign against the Greek city-states. The Battle of Plataea was also influenced by the Battle of Mycale, which was fought on the same day, and the Ionian Revolt, which had been sparked by the Athenians and the Eretrians.

Background

The Greco-Persian Wars had begun in 499 BC, when the Athenians and the Eretrians had supported the Ionian Revolt against the Achaemenid Empire. The Persian Empire had responded by launching a series of campaigns against the Greek city-states, including the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC and the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. The Battle of Salamis had been a significant victory for the Greek city-states, as it had prevented the Achaemenid Empire from conquering Attica and Athens. The Achaemenid Empire had also been influenced by the Babylonian Empire, the Lydia, and the Median Empire, which had all been conquered by Cyrus the Great. The Greek city-states had also been influenced by the Olympic Games, the Delphic Oracle, and the Amphictyonic League.

The Battle

The Battle of Plataea was fought in 479 BC, and involved a large number of Greek city-states, including Athens, Sparta, and Corinth. The Achaemenid Empire was led by Mardonius, who had been appointed by Darius I to lead the Persian Empire's campaign against the Greek city-states. The Greek city-states were able to defeat the Achaemenid Empire with the help of Aristides, Pausanias (general), and Cimon, who played important roles in the battle. The Battle of Plataea was also influenced by the Battle of Mycale, which was fought on the same day, and the Ionian Revolt, which had been sparked by the Athenians and the Eretrians. The Greek city-states had also been influenced by the Theban Epaminondas, the Spartan Brasidas, and the Athenian Pericles.

Aftermath

The Battle of Plataea was a decisive victory for the Greek city-states, and marked the end of the Achaemenid Empire's campaign against Greece. The Achaemenid Empire had suffered significant losses, including the death of Mardonius, and the Greek city-states had been able to assert their independence. The Battle of Plataea had also been influenced by the Battle of the Eurymedon, which was fought in 466 BC, and the Peloponnesian War, which was fought from 431 BC to 404 BC. The Greek city-states had also been influenced by the Delian League, the Peloponnesian League, and the Athenian Empire. The Achaemenid Empire had also been influenced by the Satrapy of Lydia, the Satrapy of Ionia, and the Satrapy of Egypt.

Significance

The Battle of Plataea was a significant turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars, as it marked the first major defeat of the Achaemenid Empire on land. The battle had also been influenced by the Battle of Marathon, the Battle of Thermopylae, and the Battle of Salamis, and had marked the beginning of the end of the Achaemenid Empire's campaign against the Greek city-states. The Battle of Plataea had also been influenced by the Ionian Revolt, the Dorian invasion, and the Greek Dark Ages. The Greek city-states had also been influenced by the Hellenistic period, the Roman Empire, and the Byzantine Empire. The Achaemenid Empire had also been influenced by the Seleucid Empire, the Parthian Empire, and the Sassanid Empire. Category: Battles