Marathon and Thermopylae
Describe the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae as moments when Greek city-states united against the invading Persian Empire — the runner Pheidippides bringing news of victory at Marathon (origin of the marathon race), and the heroic stand of 300 Spartans at Thermopylae — and understand these wars were fought to defend Greek independence
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Could your child tell you about the famous battles of Marathon and Thermopylae, and explain that the Greeks were fighting to defend their freedom against the Persian Empire?
Describe the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae as moments when Greek city-states united against the invading Persian Empire — the runner Pheidippides bringing news of victory at Marathon (origin of the marathon race), and the heroic stand of 300 Spartans at Thermopylae — and understand these wars were fought to defend Greek independence
Learning resources
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This concept
Check understanding
- Retell the story of the Battle of Marathon and the runner Pheidippides
- Describe the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against a much larger Persian army
- Explain that the Persian Wars were about Greek city-states defending their freedom
“Could your child tell you about the famous battles of Marathon and Thermopylae, and explain that the Greeks were fighting to defend their freedom against the Persian Empire?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- History
- Domain
- Ancient Greece & Rome
- Age range
- Ages 7–9