The medical wars were one of the most notorious confrontations of ancient times. This series of confrontations arise between the Persian Empire and the Greek Empire. In total there were two medical wars, the first one took place in 490 BC and which was carried out by Darius I, the Persian king. The second was in 480 BC headed by Xerxes. Also Persian king.
The two invasions that Persia made to the Greek territory were very intense and that despite the fact that the empire of the Persians was in the fullness of its strength, the general defense armed by the Greeks exceeded the slim chances of success of the Persians, for what was able to escape the threat.
The causes that allowed the development of this conflict were:
- The greed of the Persians to dominate other territories.
- The desire of the Persians to dominate Greece.
- The confrontation between the two systems of government: the reigning democracy in Greece, against the tyranny of the Persians.
The perfect pretext that started this war was the uprising that arose in Asia Minor, of the Greek colony of Miletus in possession of the Persians, who, supported by the Athenians, proceeded to destroy the city of Sardis with fire and at the same time, invited the other Greek colonies that were settled in the area to become independent from the yoke of the Persians.
This struggle between Greeks and Persians caused many consequences in all areas: After these victories, the Greeks felt strong in their civic and educational values and they felt new expectations in their economic and political horizons, and the Greek navy acquired great relevance. Sparta, on the other hand, was more aware of its own interests and once the Persian threat diminished, it did not show support or interest in the Greek cause, something that was expected of them.
The ideological changes also covered the religious field. Deities such as Dionysus and Pallas Athenae increased in importance since they were credited with the help received in the victories over the Persians.
On a cultural level, the resurgence of economic and political life allowed the flourishing of culture and artistic expressions, abundant in perfection in the proportions of architecture and sculpture.
