Persian Wars

Greece, for starter, was impacted by war in every imaginable way. The Persian navy blocked off many Greek sea trade routes and ports which greatly decreased their economy and needed supplies. As the Persian navy covered the seas, the Persian army’s might blasted through the northern parts of Greece, crushing all resistance in their way. The Greek armies put a stop to the onslaught by using a formation called the phalanx. The phalanx was the most effective formation with the Greeks weapons and armor. The Persians were pushed back and, ten years later, a new Persian king, Xerxes, launched an offensive against Athens. Some 7,000 Greeks, including 300 Spartans, pushed the Persian land forces back, while giving them losses of 20,000. This started the legendary legacy of the Spartan’s might. The Persian went into full retreat but the Persian navy wasn’t informed and a third of the entire fleet was wiped out in a narrow pass by small Greek battering boats. The Persians gave no more attacks for a very, very long time. The Delian League was established after the Persian War and would forever protect the Greeks from any attacks.

Years after the Persian Wars ended, the Athenians developed in intelligence and the arts. Athens was advancing in technologies right into the very next age. Other city-states began to get very jealous and attacked Athens, starting the Peloponnesian War. Sparta was the first to march to Athens. Sparta waged war against Athens for years but the Spartans did not kill the Athenians. A dangerous plague spread through Athens, killing a third of the population. Several years later, a truce was signed and Greece was at peace. Only six years later, Sparta was attacked by an Athenian fleet. The fleet was destroyed and in 404 B.C.E., Athens surrendered and lost everything it had gained.