Ancient Greek Battles

Although the Ancient Greeks are viewed as a civilised nation that exerted a great influence on society through to the modern day they lived in uncertain times and were often at war with other nations. There were various reasons for this but, mainly, they were all interested in capturing the jewel in the crown, Athens.

Key battles during this period included:

1. The Battle of Marathon

This battle took place in 490 between the Greeks and the Persians. Although outnumbered the Greeks forced the larger Persian army to retreat. This battle gave us the Marathon race name - a runner ran from the battlefield near Marathon back to Athens (just over 22 miles) to announce the Greek victory.

2. The Battles of Thermopylae/Salamis

In 480 BC the Persians again tried to enter Greece through a mountain pass at Thermopylae. This time the Greeks were outflanked and a few hundred Spartans led by Leonidas gave their lives to save the army. The Greeks decided to largely abandon Athens to concentrate on a naval attack. The Persians moved into Athens briefly but their forces were decimated by the Greeks in the Battle of Salamis who could then reclaim their territory.

3. The Peloponnesian Wars

The Spartans of the city of Sparta (which lay on the Peloponnesus peninsula) worried about the intentions of the Athenians, took sides against them and marched on Athens. The two wars here saw the Athenians win the first and the Spartans the second when Athens fell.

4. The Battle of Chaeronea

In 338 BC Philip II (and his son, later to be Alexander the Great) attacked the Athenians and the Thebans to take control of their territories.

5. The Battles of Granicus River, Issus and Gaugamela

From 224-331 BC Alexander the Great defeated the Persians three times. This essentially gave Alexander control of Asia.

6. The Battle of Hydaspes

In 326 BC Alexander took on and defeated the King of India - Porus.