THE PERSIAN WARS |
*Mardonius' campaign 492BC
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Madronius' Campaign 492BC
Mardonius, Darius' son-in-law, gathered 'a formidable fleet and army' and 'began his march through Europe with Eretria and Athens as his main objectives' (Herodotus) but with instructions to subjugate as many towns as he could on the way.
Mardonius had ordered the lonians to contribute ships to ferry his forces across the Hellespont and to accompany the army along the coast of Thrace. Thrace and Macedonia submitted without resistance, but Mardonius suffered a serious setback when his fleet was wrecked in the stormy waters off the rugged coast of Mt Athos. According to Herodotus, many ships were lost; men drowned, were taken by 'monsters', or died of exposure. This was followed by an attack on the army by a Thracian tribe, and Mardonius was wounded. This attempted invasion of Greece had to be aborted, but Herodotus probably exaggerated the disastrous nature of the campaign. It was hardly the failure he suggested, and Persian prestige did not suffer. It did not deter Darius, as his aim was obviously to conquer the divided and quarrelling Greek states, and preparations were immediately put into effect for a new attempt at invasion and conquest. NB - although not specifically found on our syllabus, the 492 campaign is an important event for its role in: *the subsequent invasions of 490BC and 480BC *the role of the northern states, Thrace and Macedon *Mardonius' story and Persian leadership *The advantages of Persian straegy - land and sea |
Campaign objectives
Strategy of combined land and sea operations - downfall The troublesome Thracians Persian gains - subjugated states |
Zovolias Alekos @ pinterest
An artists interpretation of a Persian nobleman. Madonius was certainly part of the Royal Court and weilded influence as a more than capable general and trusted advisor. Herodotus dedicates not just a few mentions, but entire CHAPTERS to Mardonius' conversations with Darius, Xerxes and other influencers such as Artabazus. His strategy and leadership was at the core of Herodotus' narratives.
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@wikipedia
A map sowing the 3 campaigns, including Mardonius' expeditions into Macedon and Thrace in 492BC
*A combined land and sea strategy is important to recognise:
1. What are the benefits?
2. What are the dangers?
*A combined land and sea strategy is important to recognise:
1. What are the benefits?
2. What are the dangers?