- Upon learning that the journey to Ionia would take 3 months, Cleomenes (one of the Spartan kings) refused to help. When Aristagoras offered him 50 talents, Cleomenes' daughter Gorgo (only 8 or 9 years old at the time) warned him that the offer could corrupt him and so Cleomenes refused
- The Athenians reacted differently. Upon Hippias' return to Asia he tried to convince Artaphernes (the satrap of Ionia) to capture Athens for Darius. The Athenians sent to Sardis to urge the Persians to not listen to Hippias. Artaphernes threatened them and said that they had to take Hippias back. The Athenians refused and accepted the consequence of open hostility to Persia.
- It was at this time that Aristagoras arrived in Athens and made a speech before the people - telling them of the gold, silver, bronze and fine clothing in Persia, as well as the fact that the Persians fought without armour, with basic weapons. Once they were persuaded to accept the deal, the Athenians sent 20 ships to Ionia under the command of Melanthius
What actions did Darius take towards the Ionians following the revolt?
- He superseded all of his other generals and sent Mardonius (son of Gorbryas and Darius' sister) down to the coast in command of a very large military and naval force. When he reached Ionia, he suppressed all of the Ionian tyrants and set up democratic institutions in order to stop the tyrants rising up against him. The Persians then subdued Thasos and Macedonia.
- By establishing a democracy, he gave the people what they wanted and so lessened the hostility felt towards him
- Artaphernes sent for representatives from all Ionian states and forced them to take an oath to settle their differences with diplomacy - this was to stop potential unrest
- He surveyed territories and measured them in parasangs as well as settling the tax, which afterwards stayed the same every year
What two problems did Mardonius face?
- The fleet was caught in a storm and all but destroyed. As many as 300 ships were lost along with over 20,000 men
- On land Mardonius and his army were attacked by the Brygi, a Thracian tribe. Losses were heavy and Mardonius himself was injured. He did not leave the country until the Brygi were subdued
- Their losses were so great overall that they were forced to retreat back to Asia in disgrace
How did Darius deal with a potential revolt from Thasos? Why was he so concerned?
- He demanded that they dismantle their defenses and send their navy to Abdera
- He was concerned because they were very rich,with a revenue of 200-300 talents a year from mining etc and had a large navy - for this meant that they weren't only a threat, but a loss to Darius if he could no longer control them
How do Sparta and Athens respond to Aegina's submission to Persia? Why did they react in this way?
- Athens and King Cleomenes sailed to Aegina and arrested the ringleaders. They believed that their submission to Darius was out of spite for Athens. The Athenians went to Sparta and accused the Aeginetans of acting to betray Hellas
- When Cleomenes attempted to arrest the ringleaders, Crius told him that he had no authority from the Spartans and accused him of being bribed by the Athenians (otherwise he would have brought the other king with him). He said this because of a letter from Demaratus, the other king of Sparta
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