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The Greco-Persian Wars

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The Greco-Persian Wars reads like a novel, but presents its' thesis in a most thorough, analytical manner. Green is, perhaps, the most easily read scholar on ancient Greece which is evident in this effort as well as his "Alexander of Macedon". The Greco-Persian Wars masterfully recounts Xerxes' march through Greece, the heroic battle of Thermopylae, the miraculous Greek naval victory at Salamis, and the subsequent withdrawal of Persian forces. Interwoven among this narrative is excellent insight into the political machinations present among the vying city-states of Greece.

Green resurrects Themistocles, in all his martial splendor, from the elitist dismissals of Herodotus, to show that Themistocles' naval genius and personal courage saved the day despite the intense and ongoing city-state rivalries and a monied and powerful Athenian majority which preferred a Marathon-like ground engagement. The Greco-Persian Wars, despite its' generic title, is an outstanding tale of heroism, bravery, and perserverence that deserves the attention of any history connoisseur. Read this book. It is outstanding!

It was mid-August in 490 BC in a place called Marathon. The Athenians had just registered a stunning victory over the invading Persian troops. Athens did it largely by themselves without Spartan help. As they celebrated their victory an Athenian general, Themistocles, may have been the only Athenian to realize the Persians would be back and the next time Athens would need help.

Peter Green does a superb job in assimilating the well-documented wars between Greece and Persia early in the Fifth Century BC. Relying on the ancient writings of Herodotus, Xenophon, Plutarch and others, Green analyzes every situation during this period. We know not just names, places and dates but how strategy unfolded and a careful analysis that the leaders had to evaluate. War became like a chess game of position, analysis of the strengths and weakness of all positions, and a bit of guile. The stakes were high. Persia had the mightiest empire ever created. Greece wasn't even a nation, but a collection of city-states, often at war with each other. The Persian threat would force Greeks to come together as a nation. Could they do it? Green takes us through the trials and travails of this effort. Many Greek city-states collaborated with the Persians. In fact, the whole of northern and central Greece did. In many cases ousted leaders sought Persian help to get back to power; they may have been at war with other city-states; or they may simply have chosen earth and water to death and destruction.

The Athenians and Spartans would have to overcome their differences to get rid of the Persian menace from Greece. At times they would work together but generally as soon as the immediate threat was over they would go their separate ways again. When the city-states could come together they became a formidable force for the Persians to deal with. They were better armed and superior in close-in battles. The Persians had the superior cavalry and had numerical superiority. Whichever side could exploit its strengths the best would win.

The book isn't without its faults, however. I thought there was a little too much second guessing of Herodotus and there was way too much use of foreign expressions, which became quite annoying. But these criticisms are minor. The book is a superb re-enactment of these classic wars that helped shape Western civilization.

When reading some historians of ancient Greece and Rome, you get the sense that they are impatient with those fool ancient writers. Peter Green, in this eminently entertaining and solidly-researched history of the campaigns of Marathon, Salamis, and Plataea, treats Herodotus, Plutarch, Thucydides and the rest as equals, giving them respect where merited and skepticism where necessary. Green, for some years a resident of Greece, is not afraid to use more current history (political and military) to cast light upon events and motivations of the past. Where he has a good theory, he says so; where he just doesn't know, he also says so. One aspect of academic writing endemic to ancient history is the criticism of other authors. Green, thankfully, puts most of his in the notes. In doing so, he keeps the story of the wars moving along, allowing the reader to appreciate the effect of local politics on the course of both Greek and Persian strategy. Unhesitantingly recommended to anyone with an interest in ancient Greek or military history, and to students of national strategy.

This is quite simply THE book to read to thoroughly understand the conflict between Classical Greece and Imperial Persia. It rivals Kagan's "The Peloponnesian War" in depth and detail. And while not quite the break neck read of Holland's "Persian Fire" it compensates with an eminently readable style and makes Cartledges's "Thermopylae" look anemic and cadaverous even given the significantly more limited scope of the latter's work.

Green does an exceptional job of comparing and contrasting the ancient sources of information on the period, Herodotus, Plutarch, Aeschylus etc. and weaves them together with the modern scholarship of Burn and Pritchett etc. while injecting his own theories to provide a narrative that brings both the players and their times vividly to life.

Green takes Herodotus to task for bias and obvious propagandistic nonsense early and often and with common sense and logic corrects many of the more egregious errors of the primary sources, in particular the size of Xerxes army, specifically the probable confusion between chiliarchs (commander of 1,000 men) and myriarchs (commander of 10,000 men). Using Munro and Maurice among others he corrects the likely decimal error in Herodotus's calculation of the size of Xerxes army. Reducing it from a phantasmagorical 1.7 million men to more credible 170,000 infantry with another 40,000 cavalry, quisling Greeks and miscellaneous others.

Add in no small amount of irreverent levity and you have the perfect tract on what Thomas Cahill (How the Irish Saved Civilization) refers to as a "hinge" of history.

In two words, BUY IT!

Peter Green does an excellent job explaining the background of Greece and Persia which led to the Greco-Persian wars. His points of view and comments are right on the mark when he describes the generals, politicians and common soldiers that were caught up in this war. It is amazing how these Greek city states were able to have an alliance with each other, when they barely got along in the first place. It is true that feuds are forgotten when a common and daunting adversary is threatening an existance of the empire. Green's analysis of the Battle of Marathon are chilling as one of the reviewers noted. An amazing triumph for the Greeks, who were outmanned by a large degree. I recommend this book to any student, researcher or casual history enthusiast of Ancient Greece. Highly recommended.

Had the Greeks failed to defeat the Persians in in their invasion of Greece, western history would have been very different. The great flowering of Greek civilization would not have taken place, and without it, it is hard to conceive how our world would look now. Green, one of the best classcial scholars, has done a superb job of covering a war that has been covered in myths. At times, he must engage in speculation to cover gaps or improbabilities in the historical record, but he always does so judiciously, and with regard for other points of view. This book is interesting not just as military history, bur for an account of how western civilization developed.

First of all let me say that those who are trying to read this book as a substitute for Herodotus are bound to be disappointed. A detailed reading of and knowledge of Herodotus is presumed. That said, this book sheds much light on some of the questions unanswered by Herodotus and many of the statements by Herodotus that have remained controversial over the centuries. It should also be pointed out that Peter Green apparently is from England originally and uses, on occasion, English slang. I would not say it grates or is irritating, however.
Many have accused Peter Green of being a revisionist historian as if that is some kind of crime. What is most irritating to some of these critics is his defense of democracy evident throughout his writings. Just as a couple of hundred of years ago Americans read the ancient Greeks and Romans for ideas supporting democracy, many present day readers long for more ordered times and read the Greeks and Romans for support. Peter Green has the audacity to point out that free men have the right to do as they please with their freedom including mucking up their lives and country. This is anathema to many and may explain why he decided to live in the United States.
Anyhow, this is a wonderful supplement to Herodotus. It is not boring and you simply cannot go wrong.

My one complaint is that I would have prefered more illustrations.

That said, Peter Green does a tremendous job telling the story of the Greco-Persian Wars while keeping the subject academic. Green breathes life into the ancient characters, Themesticles, Miltiades, Leonidas, to name a few. And he doesn't fall into the trap of stereotyping the Persians and Persian Kings. He also tells you when he's basing his interpretations on thin or very little evidence, so that you can form your own opinion while reading. This is refreshing when compared to many historical authors who hand down their interpretations as if they are Moses on the mountain top. Greco-Persian Wars is a well written, scholarly, and entertaining book. I enthusiastically recommend it.

Peter Green is that extremely unique combination: a brillant historian who writes beautifully and has a sense of humor. This book contains the most chilling account of the Battle of Marathon I've ever read. Grim and haunting. I buy everything he writes. I just purchased 3 copies of the paperback to give as Christmas gifts.

Green does an amazing job of recounting the Greco-Persian Wars in a way that is not mind-numbing or revisionistic. I found this book refreshing and validates the brilliance and fortitude of character of the ancient Greeks. This book captures the true essence of the Greek struggle against Persian aggression and demonstrates the awe-inspiring achievement of the Greeks. The quintessential "David and Goliath" with all the heroism and bravery that one would find in any epic war novel. I laud Green's ability to draw his reader into an ancient struggle for freedom, the outcome of which establishes the foundation for which the political ideology of Western civilization is based.