First Persian invasion of Greece

Map showing key sites during the Persian invasions of Greece

Date	492 – 490 BC.
Location	Thrace, Macedon, Cyclades, Euboea, Attica
Result	Persia re-subjugates Thrace and conquers Macedon, Naxos and the other Cycladic Islands. Persian attempts to conquer Athens are unsuccessful.

Belligerents

Greek city states including Athens and Eretria

Persian Empire

Commanders and leaders

Miltiades the Younger
Callimachus †

Mardonius,
Datis,
Artaphernes

Strength

8,000-9,000 Athenians
1,000 Plataeans
Total: 9,000-10,000

10,000 Immortals
10,000 light infantry
5,000 archers
1,000-3,000 cavalry
600 triremes
Total: 26,000-28,000

Casualties and losses

192 Athenians
11 Plataeans
Eretria enslaved and burned
Naxos burnt

6,400 Persians killed
7 ships captured

The first Persian invasion of Greece, during the Persian Wars, began in 492 BC, and ended with the decisive Athenian victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. The invasion, consisting of two distinct campaigns, was ordered by the Persian king Darius I primarily in order to punish the city-states of Athens and Eretria. These cities had supported the cities of Ionia during their revolt against Persian rule, thus incurring the wrath of Darius. Darius also saw the opportunity to extend his empire into Europe, and to secure its western frontier.

The first campaign in 492 BC, led by Mardonius, re-subjugated Thrace and forced Macedon to become a fully subordinate client kingdom part of Persia, after being a vassal to Persia as early as the late 6th century BC. However, further progress was prevented when Mardonius's fleet was wrecked in a storm off the coast of Mount Athos. The following year, having demonstrated his intentions, Darius sent ambassadors to all parts of Greece, demanding their submission. He received it from almost all of them, except Athens and Sparta, both of whom executed the ambassadors. With Athens still defiant, and Sparta now effectively at war with him, Darius ordered a further military campaign for the following year.

The second Persian campaign, in 490 BC, was under the command of Datis and Artaphernes. The expedition headed first to the island Naxos, which it captured and burnt. It then island-hopped between the rest of the Cycladic Islands, annexing each into the Persian empire. Reaching Greece, the expedition landed at Eretria, which it besieged, and after a brief time, captured. Eretria was razed and its citizens enslaved. Finally, the task force headed to Attica, landing at Marathon, en route for Athens. There, it was met by a smaller Athenian army, which nevertheless proceeded to win a remarkable victory at the Battle of Marathon.

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Wikipedia