Episode 12 Across the Bitter Sea 

The Persian Empire

Dr John W I Lee (2012)

Film Review

Darius I claimed the god Ahuramazda directed him to attack Athens and Eretia to punish them for their sneak attack during the empire’s battle to suppress the revolt of the Ionian Greek cities (on the Anatolian Peninsula, ie modern day Turkey)

With the intention of restoring the tyrant the people of Athens had ousted to establish a democracy, Darius sent 200 ships, 10,000-15,000 infantry, 500 cavalry and numerous siege engines on the long journey from Sardis on the Anatolian peninsula, through Thrace and Macedon (both controlled by Persia) to capture and burn Eretria (on the island of Euboia), deporting all its residents to Elam near Susa.

From there, Darius I marched his forces to the Marathon Plain in Attica, territory belonging to Athens. A militia of 10,000 Athenian citizens (regularly employed as farmers and craftsmen), providing their own weapons and food marched to the Marathon Plain.*

The Athenians launched a surprise attack on the Persians, who unlike the Greeks were all professional warriors, many of them Phoenician, Socca and Ionian mercenaries. The latter had sent their cavalry horses north to graze after running short of fodder.

In addition to defeating the Persians, the Greeks captured seven ships. 192 Athenians were killed, in contrast to 600 Persian troops.

*The Greeks had sent a runner (historical origin of the “marathon” race) to Sparta requesting their assistance, but the Spartans declined because they were celebrating a special feast of Apollo.

https://www.kanopy.com/en/pukeariki/watch/video/15372393/15372390