Question

short answer questions
simple reasoning

1. based on the reading passage, what were dariuss motivations for invading greece, and how did the greek city - states respond to his demands before the battle of marathon?

reading & summary
the persian wars
the persian wars were a series of battles between the persian empire and the greek city - states. these wars took place from 499 bc to 449 bc. it was a clash between the powerful persian empire and the independent - minded greeks. the greeks ultimately won, which allowed their culture to continue to thrive. without this victory, we might not have things like democracy, theater, and the olympic games today.
it all started when cyrus the great, a persian ruler, took over the greek area of ionia in 547 bc. the persians put leaders called tyrants in charge of the ionian cities, which the greeks didnt like. in 499 bc, a tyrant named aristagoras started a rebellion against the persians. this was the beginning of the ionian revolt, and it lasted until 493 bc.
aristagoras asked for help from athens and eretria, two greek city - states. in 498 bc, these forces helped burn down sardis, a persian capital. the persian king, darius the great, was furious and wanted revenge on athens and eretria. the revolt continued for several years, but in 494 bc, the persians crushed the rebellion at the battle of lade.
darius wanted to make sure there were no more revolts and to punish athens and eretria. so, he decided to conquer greece. the first persian invasion of greece was in 492 bc. the persian general mardonius took over thrace and macedon, but the campaign ended early because of some problems.
in 491 bce, darius sent messengers to the greek city - states, demanding that they submit to persian rule. the greeks refused and even executed the messengers. this act of defiance led to further conflict.

Explanation:

Darius's motivations stemmed from revenge for Athens and Eretria's role in burning Sardis during the Ionian Revolt, and a desire to prevent future revolts by conquering Greece and asserting Persian rule. Before Marathon, Greek city-states rejected his demand for submission, even executing his messengers as an act of defiance.

Answer:

1. Darius's motivations for invading Greece:

• To take revenge on Athens and Eretria for helping burn the Persian capital Sardis during the Ionian Revolt.
• To conquer Greece to prevent future revolts against Persian rule.

1. Greek city-states' response:

They refused Darius's demand to submit to Persian rule, and executed his messengers as an act of defiance.