Xerxes, having taken the pass of Thermopylæ, moved towards Athens, when
the inhabitants had fled, taking refuge in their ships, according to
their interpretation of a decree of the oracle that they must seek
safety in their “wooden walls.” The Persians burned Athens, and the fate
of Greece was then decided by the naval battle of Salamis (480 B. C.),
which resulted in a complete victory for the Greeks.
The battle of Salamis, with the battles of Platæa and Mycale, in the
next year, decided the war, and the Persians were driven out of Greece
forever, and finally, after several years, were driven wholly out of
Europe. The arbitrary rule of an irresponsible despot was overcome by
the spirit of voluntary obedience to law, the freedom of Greece was
maintained, and the future civilization of Europe was secured.
IV. AGE OF PERICLES AND GREEK LUXURY.--This period includes the
portion from the close of the Persian war to the Supremacy of
Philip, B. C. 337. At the beginning of this period the general
affairs of Greece were in a highly prosperous condition, and Athens
was unrivaled in wealth and magnificence under the influence of
Pericles. But a spirit of luxurious refinement soon took the place
of the disinterested patriotism of the preceding age, and the
manners of all classes became signally marked by corruption and
licentiousness. The events of most prominent interest were: (1) the
Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta; (2) the accusation of
Socrates, disgraceful to the city and all concerned; (3) the
expedition of Cyrus the Younger which involved the Greeks in another
war with Persia; (4) the successive downfall of Athens, Sparta and
Thebes, and the rise of Macedon.
The half-century following the battle of Salamis (480-430 B. C.) forms
the most brilliant period of Athenian history, and one of the greatest
eras in the history of the world.