The Battle of Marathon was the first major battle of the Greco-Persian Wars. It took place on the plain of Marathon, about 26 miles northeast of Athens. The Persian army, led by Darius I, was vastly superior in numbers to the Greek army, but the Greeks were able to win a decisive victory. The battle is often credited as the birthplace of democracy, as it showed the world that a free and united people could defeat a much larger and more powerful enemy.
2. The Battle of Salamis (480 BC)
The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle that took place in the Saronic Gulf, near the island of Salamis. The Greek navy, led by Themistocles, was outnumbered by the Persian navy, but they were able to win a decisive victory by using a clever strategy. The battle is often considered to be one of the most important battles in history, as it prevented the Persians from conquering Greece and spreading their empire into Europe.
3. The Battle of Plataea (479 BC)
The Battle of Plataea was the final battle of the Greco-Persian Wars. It took place on the plain of Plataea, about 50 miles northwest of Athens. The Greek army, led by Pausanias, was outnumbered by the Persian army, but they were able to win a decisive victory. The battle marked the end of the Persian threat to Greece and the beginning of a new era of Greek dominance in the Mediterranean Sea.