Gerry Bowler: The Battle That Saved Greek Civilization

Aristides is warned by Alexander I of Macedon of the impending Persian attack at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. Public Domain

Commentary

In the year 490 BC, a Persian army invaded Greece, aimed at the destruction of the city of Athens which had earlier helped Greek subjects of the Persian empire to rebel. This force was defeated at the Battle of Marathon, but the Persian emperors did not give up on their plans to subdue the Greeks.