The Great Persian War: Marathon to Salamis

Ancient Greece: Philosophy, Democracy, and Endless War — Fexingo History · Oct 19, 2026 · 7m · transcript

We explore the pivotal decade between 490 and 479 BCE that defined the Greek world. Lucas walks us through the first Persian invasion, the miraculous stand at Marathon, and the political maneuvering of Themistocles in Athens. We then dive into Xerxes I’s massive second invasion, detailing the heroic but tragic defense at Thermopylae and the naval strategy that turned the tide at Salamis. This episode moves beyond the myths to examine the logistical realities of the Persian Empire versus the fragmented city-states, focusing on how a coalition of Greeks, led by Sparta and Athens, survived…