How Important Was Unity to the Greek States in Their Victory Over the Persians?

How important was unity to the Greek states in their victory over the Persians?

Unity was crucial to the Greeks in the two Persian Wars – particularly the Second, which was a two year campaign. Without it they could never have mustered sufficient forces to take on the might of Persia, nor continue to resistlong enough to win. Even so, other factors were also important. The Greeks had better tactics and equipment, better leadership, a greater sense of purpose, and had the advantage of the country’s peculiar geography.

• In the First Persian War, the Athenians asked for help from the Spartans, but it was late in coming. Hence they were largely on their own.
• The Athenian general Miltiades sent troops to Marathon to block the two routes south.
• In the Battle of Marathon, Miltiades’ brilliance secured victory over a much larger force.
• The army then marched back to Athens, and when the Persians arrived they realized they could not take the city. They returned to Asia Minor.
• Hence, Greece was saved by the efforts of Athens andMiltiades.

• The same would not be possible during the Second Persian War. This time the Persians brought a much bigger force. Greece would need to be united in order to repulse them.
• Mercifully, Athens had made adequate preparations. Themistocles realised that Xerxes’ massive army could not be beaten on land, so he persuaded Athens to build a navy, then called on other Greek states to resist.
• Achieving unity was not easy, as half the Greek states had already surrendered to the Persians. Even so, in 481 BC 31 states formed the Hellenic League. Sparta was given leadership.Themistocles agreed to this for the sake of unity.
• The Hellenic League’s strategy was to stop the Persians from advancing down the coast of Greece. The Persian army would be blocked at Thermopylae, while the navy would be blocked atArtemisium.
• Unfortunately, the plan came unstuck when the Greeks were betrayed. But King Leonidas turned a military defeat into a political victory by his famous last stand. Thisinspired the Greek states to remain united.
• The Greeks now retreated to Salamis, and debated what to do. The Spartan admiral, Eurybiades, wanted to retreat, but Themistoclesargued that Salamis was the best place to make a stand, as the narrow strait wouldfavour the Greek navy. He threatened to quit the Hellenic League if Eurybiadesdid not agree. Eurybiades did.
• In the Battle of Salamisthe Greeks destroyed over 200 Persian triremes, losing only 40 themselves. They won by remaining united behind the leadership of Themistocles.
• With his navy now destroyed, Xerxes could no longer supply his army and was forced to leave Greece. The force he left behind was eventually defeated by the Greeks at Plataea. The Second Persian War was over.

Hence it can be seen that the Greeks achieved victory in the two Persian Wars for a variety of reasons: their equipment was superior; their leadership was better; they had stronger sense of purpose than the Persians; and they made better use of Greece’s narrow passes and straits. However, none of these factors would have enough had theynot maintained their unity. This was key to victory.