Why did Athens send help?

• The Athenians were already on bad terms with Persia. Artaphernes, the satrap (governor) of Asia Minor had not long previously tried to restore an ex-tyrant called Hippias to Athens by threatening them with subjugation
• The new democracy at Athens was opposed to tyranny
• The Greeks were becoming alarmed at Darius' movements into Europe
• Aristagoras pointed out that there was a close link between Athens and Ionia. Miletus was founded by Athenian settlers