The Ionian Revolt: Prologue to the First Persian War

The Ionian Revolt: Prologue to the first Persian War

About BCE 550, Cyrus I, emperor of Persia, conquered the territory of Ionia (the west coast of Modern Turkey). The people of Ionia were advanced in science and mathematics, and were discontent with their new, tyrannical rulers. The Persian rulers knew the Ionians felt this way, but did little to help or calm the Ionians.

In BC 499, Aristagoras, the ruler of the Ionian city Miletus, started a rebellion against the Persians. However, he cared more about capturing cities for himself than freeing the Ionian people. Aristagoras encouraged the Ionians to remove their Persian leaders. In response, many cities in the area rebelled and ousted their Persian rulers. Knowing that it would not be long until Darius (Persian Emperor from BC 521-486) retaliated, Aristagoras traveled to Sparta and appealed to King Cleomenes for aid. He refused because his Spartans would have to travel too far.

Aristagoras, now desperate for support, went to Athens for help. The Athenians knew it was only a matter of time before the Persians attacked them, so they decided to support Aristagoras and sent twenty triremes (Greek ships). The Ionian fleet, strengthened by Athenian, sailed to the city of Ephesus in BC 498. The Ionian and Greek troops then marched to the city Sardis and burned it to the ground. However, the Persians caught the Ionians and Greeks and massacred most of them.

Despite losing so many men, Aristagoras continued his fight against Persia. He encouraged more revolts in Western Asia Minor, Thrace and Cyprus. In one battle, the Ionians ambushed the Persian army at night and annihilated it. Four Persian generals died in the battle.

Although their deaths were a great loss, Persia continued to reclaim cities and Aristagoras’ rebellion began to collapse. Aristagoras, fearing for his life, fled to Mycrinus.

Soon after, the Persian fleet destroyed the Greek fleet in the battle of Lade. When Darius and his army captured Miletus in BC 494, the Ionian Revolts crumbled due to a lack of leadership.

The main effect of the rebellion was that Darius I's anger for Athens grew because of the aid they provided to the Ionians. He vowed revenge on the Greek city-states.

In your pamphlet, rewrite and complete the following sentence stems:
“The Ionian Revolt began in ______and was started by ______. He started the revolt because ______.” Athens agreed to support the Ionians because ______, yet even with their help the ______won.” The main effect of the Ionian Revolt was ______.”