Battle of Plataea
Plataea, Greece
What happened
The Spartan general Pausanias led the united Greek army, including Spartans and Athenians, against the Persian army left in Greece under the general Mardonius. The two armies camped near the town of Plataea and waited, because neither wanted to attack first. Persian horsemen raided Greek supplies and blocked some of their springs, so the Greeks moved at night and became spread out. Mardonius attacked, but the Greek soldiers held firm and won; Mardonius died in the fighting, and the Athenians captured the Persian camp.
Why it matters
Result: Greek victory. Leaders: Pausanias / Amompharetus against Mardonius / Hegesistratus. Why it matters: It was the decisive battle of the Persian invasion and the last Persian attempt to conquer mainland Greece. The Persians never invaded Greece again.
What came next
What remained of the Persian army withdrew north, and around the same time the Greek fleet defeated the Persian navy at Mycale. The Greeks set up a bronze victory monument, the Serpent Column, at Delphi.
Did you know?
The Serpent Column was later moved to the hippodrome of Constantinople by the emperor Constantine the Great, and it still stands there in today's Istanbul.
Timeline
- Autumn 480 BCEAfter Salamis, Xerxes returns to Asia, leaving Mardonius in Greece.
- 479 BCEThe Greek allies march north and camp on hills facing the Persians near Plataea.
- July 479 BCEAfter a night move goes wrong, the Greeks defeat Mardonius's attack.
- 479 BCEThe Greek fleet defeats the Persian navy at Mycale.