![]() ![]() The bulk of the revolt was suppressed relatively quickly (by 493 bce). Several Ionian cities joined Miletus, while Athens and Eretria sent modest naval support. Herodotus attributed the revolt to the personal ambitions of the tyrant of Miletus scholars have suggested an underlying cause in dissatisfaction with the taxation assessment for the region. The immediate origin of the wars, however, is traced to the Ionian revolt of 499 bce. In this context, it is not surprising that conflict arose. The Persians had expanded into Thrace, were allied with Macedon, and controlled trade routes and port cities in the eastern Mediterranean. By the late sixth century, Athens had expanded its commercial and political presence into the Aegean islands and Chersonesus. The Aegean area was important to both the Greek states (particularly Athens) and the Persian Empire. ![]() ![]() Much of our narrative of the wars comes from Herodotus and other Greek authors who had clear biases consequently, their works must be used with caution. To the Persians, the conflicts were necessary but minor skirmishes and far less important than, for example, the maintenance of control in Egypt. The Persian Wars, more accurately called the Greco-Persian Wars, became a pivotal moment in history for the Greeks. ![]()
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