Ancient Greece

Section 3: Conflict in the Greek World Athens and Pericles.asf

The Persian Wars

After Athens sent ships to help the Greek city-states in Ionia, the Persian ruler Darius I sent forces to crush Athens.

The Athenians won a battle near Marathon, and later joined forces with other city-states to maintain an advantage over Persia.

The Age of Pericles and Direct Democracy

Athens and Pericles.asf

When Pericles led Athens, there was a direct democracy, with the Council of 500 deciding the issues of the day.

Jury duty was also expected of citizens and a single jury could include thousands.

Under Pericles and a woman named Aspasia, Athens also became the cultural center of Greece.

The Peloponnesian War The_Security_Systems_of_Athens_and_Sparta.asf

After Athens formed the Delian League with other city-states, Sparta formed the Peloponnesian League.

These two groups of allies fought for 27 years, starting in 431 B.C.