The initial Persian invasion of Greece unfolded in 492 BC during the Greco-Persian Wars, culminating in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. King Darius the Great orchestrated the campaigns with the primary objectives of punishing Athens and Eretria for their support of the Ionian cities' revolt and expanding the Persian Empire into Europe.

II. First Campaign (492 BC): Led by Mardonius, the first campaign successfully re-subjugated Thrace and made Macedon a Persian client kingdom. However, progress was hindered when Mardonius' fleet encountered a storm off Mount Athos. Despite this setback, Darius, having received submission from most Greek city-states, faced resistance from Athens and Sparta.

III. Demand for Submission: In 491 BC, Darius, demonstrating his intentions, sent ambassadors demanding submission from all Greek city-states. Athens and Sparta, defiant in their stance, executed the Persian ambassadors, leading to heightened tensions and the anticipation of further conflict.

IV. Second Campaign (490 BC): Under the command of Datis and Artaphernes, the second campaign in 490 BC aimed to capture Naxos, annex the Cycladic Islands, and punish Eretria. The Persian forces, en route to Athens, faced a smaller Athenian army at Marathon. Despite being outnumbered, the Athenians secured a remarkable victory at the Battle of Marathon, thwarting the immediate success of the Persian invasion.

V. Achievements and Unfinished Business: Although the Battle of Marathon prevented the Persian campaign's conclusive success, the expedition achieved its goals by punishing Naxos and Eretria and extending Persian rule in the Aegean. The unfinished business from this campaign set the stage for Darius to prepare a more substantial invasion to firmly subjugate Greece and punish Athens and Sparta.

VI. Delay and Succession: Internal strife within the Persian Empire and Darius's death from old age postponed the larger invasion. The responsibility fell to his son, Xerxes I, who would later lead the second Persian invasion of Greece in 480 BC.

Start Date	493 BC
End Date	493 BC

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Did you know? The Battle of Marathon marked the First Persian Invasion's pivotal moment, inspiring the marathon race tradition.

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