The First Clash: Battle of Marathon (490 BC) | Greece vs. Persia Begins

By 490 BC, the Persian Emperor Darius the Great was determined to punish the Greek city-states, the greatest obstacle to his westward invasion. The Athenians, in particular, had drawn the ire of Darius with their support for the anti-Persian resistance during the Ionian Revolt. The burning and sacking of Sard was perceived as an insult to the Persian Empire, and Darius swore revenge and ordered the destruction of Athens. For him it was not only a military objective, but also a matter of honour. #marathon #ancienthistory #persian #greco