The Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the ancient Greek city-states and the Persian Empire that took place in the 5th century BCE. The wars began when the Greeks in Ionia revolted against Persian rule, leading to the famous battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, where the Athenians achieved a surprising victory. This conflict marked the beginning of a struggle for freedom and independence among the Greek states. The most significant battles occurred during the second invasion of Persia, led by Xerxes I in 480 BCE. Notable events included the heroic stand of the Spartans at Thermopylae and the decisive naval battle at Salamis. Ultimately, the Greek city-states united to defeat