Militades’ ability to persuade the Athenians to defend their city outside their walls, at Marathon, proved to be a significant decision in the outcome of the battle, resulting in Greek victory. Herodotus tells us that Militiades convinced the Athenians by telling them that they would have the upper hand if they went out to meet the Persians instead of waiting for them in the city. Modern scholars Bury and Mieggs believe that this was one of the most ‘momentous moments in the process’. The site of Marathon, or at least the hills in which the Greeks chose to initiate the battle, proved advantageous to them. It favoured their method of warfare and disadvantaged the Persians.
Relief sculptures in the Palace of Persepolis tells us of the nature of Persian armour and weapons. They were lighter clad than the Greeks, and their weapons were better suited to open plain combat. They had bows and arrows rather than thrusting spears. The hills in which the Greeks were situated called for close combat and rendered useless the superior Persian archers. The strong Persian cavalry were also absent. Herodotus claims they were being used for an attempt of a surprise attack on Athens. Greeks vase paintings tells us of the Athenian hoplites armour and how their warfare was better suited to the site of the battle. Solid, bronze chest plates and bronze shields, ‘hoplons’ gave them protection and were superior to the Persians lighter garments. Vases and pottery paintings show us how the Greeks used thrusting spears which were suited for close combat instead of throwing implements.
Militiades’ decision proved advantageous not just for the Greeks’ method warfare, but because it was the Greek land they were fighting on they were filled with a patriotic desire to defend their country. It was also strategically located due to the close vicinity of Athenian roads, so the Greeks could chose the best time to engage in battle. Militiades’ persuasive skills and his foresight and intelligence in choosing the site of Marathon was paramount in the outcome of the Persian Wars; Greek victory as the battle of Marathon demonstrated to Darius the Greeks were capable of defeating the Persians. Darius would need a great force to defeat the Greeks.
Leonidas’ role in the Persian Wars was a great one. His command of 7000 hoplites at Thermopylae had a significant effect on the safety of the Athenian people, and in aiding Themistocles strategy of defeating the Persians through conducting battles in confined spaces.
Leonidas the Spartan King was in command of the Greeks fighting at Thermopylae. His ingenious strategy of feigning defeat, then wheeling around and advancing on the enemy, held the Persians off for 2 days, while it would not have been possible for the Greeks to defeat the Persians at Thermopylae due to the vast numbers in Xerxes force, it seems if it wasn’t for the traitor Ephialtes, the Greeks could have continued to hold the pass. Leonidas was carrying out the strategies devised by Themistocles at the meetings of the Hellenic League before the battle at Marathon. Fighting in confined spaces with smaller Greek forces against the huge Persian forces would render the Persian advantage useless.
After Xerxes found out about the Aponea pass from the Greek traitor Ephialtes, Leonidas heard of the Persian plan to encircle them. While Hignett, a modern historian, believes Xerxes always knew of the path, most other historians dismiss his view. Leonidas sent away nearly all of his troops, except the Spartans, Thebans and Thespians. They fought bravely to their death, including Leonidas. Leonidas’ decision to send the troops away saved them from the persuing Persian forces.
Herodotus tells us that Xerxes committed sacriledge by performing various mutilations to the body of Leonidas. However he later felt remorse, Herodotus claims, and sent the body back to the Spartans to be rightly honoured.
The discovery of the Themistocles decree sheds light on the consequent evacuation of Athens and Leonidas’ goal in the holding of Thermopylae. The Decree is dated to the 3rd century BC, but is believed to have been a copy of a decree by Themistocles that, if authentic, means the evacuation of Athens was planned before Thermopylae, and that victory was not expected, only holding, so that Athens could evacuate their city safely. Herodotus claims, many people were unwilling to leave their city, and were only encouraged to do so by the priestess of the temple of the sacred snake ‘the snake fled and the Athenians followed his example’.
If Themistocles’ decree is authentic, then he must have anticipated the great naval battle at Salamis also. Leonidas’ skilful and brave command at Thermopylae allowed Athenians to safely escape their city and while he did not defeat the Persians, a near impossible feat, he held out the Persians from Attica for as long as possible.
Militiades and Leonidas both made major contributions to the course of the Persian wars, and their positive input helped the Greeks ultimately defeat the Persians.
