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BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Mycale is won by Greek forces over Persian naval troops on the Ionian coast

The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece.

The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece. The invasion was a direct, if delayed, response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece (492–490 BC) at the Battle of Marathon, which ended Darius I's attempts to subjugate Greece. After Darius's death, his son Xerxes spent several years planning for the second invasion, mustering an enormous army and navy. The Athenians and Spartans led the Greek resistance. About a tenth of the Greek city-states joined the 'Allied' effort; most remained neutral or submitted to Xerxes.

The invasion began in spring 480 BC, when the Persian army crossed the Hellespont and marched through Thrace and Macedon to Thessaly.

Historical Significance

The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece.

Events Before

  1. Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople

    Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c. 425 – 9 April 491) was Eastern Roman emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491.

  2. Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople

    Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople

  3. Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional d

    Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional date for the end of the Western Roman Empire

  4. Odoacer is proclaimed King of Italy by his troops, becoming the first barbarian King of Italy

    Odoacer (433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube who was an officer of the Roman army and deposed the Western Roman...

  5. German ruler Flavius Odoacer captures Pavia

    Odoacer (433 – 15 March 493 AD), also spelled Odovacer or Odovacar, was a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube who was an officer of the Roman army and deposed the Western Roman...

Events After

  1. BC Battle of Salamis: The Greek fleet under Themistocles defeats the Persian fleet under Xerxes I

    Xerxes I (commonly known as Xerxes the Great; c. 518 BC – 465 BC) was a Persian ruler who reigned as the fourth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 486 BC until his assassination in...

  2. BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Artemisium - Persian naval victory over the Greeks in an engagement fought off north co

    BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Artemisium - Persian naval victory over the Greeks in an engagement fought off north coast of Euboea

  3. Felix III begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    Pope Simplicius (died 2 or 10 March 483) was the bishop of Rome from 468 to his death on 10 March 483.

  4. King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his w

    King of the Ostrogoths Theodoric the Great defeats Germanic King of Italy Odoacer at the Battle of Isonzo, forcing his way into Italy

  5. Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated ag

    Germanic King of Italy Odoacer attacks Ostrogothic leader Theodoric the Great at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again

More from the 470s

Zeno is crowned co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire with his son Leo II (age 6 or 7)

Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c. 425 – 9 April 491) was Eastern Roman emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491.

Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional d

Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor, abdicates after forces led by Odoacer invade Rome, the traditional date for the end of the Western Roman Empire

Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople

Zeno (Ancient Greek: Ζήνων, romanized: Zēnōn; c. 425 – 9 April 491) was Eastern Roman emperor from 474 to 475 and again from 476 to 491.

Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople

Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 27, 479?
The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece. The invasion was a direct, if delayed, response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece (492–490 BC) at the Battle of Marathon, which ended Darius I's attempts to subjugate Greece. After Darius's death, his son Xerxes spent several years planning for the second invasion, mustering an enormous army and navy.
Why is BC Greco-Persian Wars: Battle of Mycale is won by Greek forces over Persian n... significant?
The second Persian invasion of Greece (480–479 BC) occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece.

Explore More

August 27 in HistoryYear 479