The seige of Paros
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The seige of Paros - 489 B.C.


The remaining Persian fleet sailed back to King Darius, with their slaves and their booty. Eager Spartans on the other hand managed to travel from Sparta to Athens in three days by foot. They came, however, too late for the battle, yet they longed to behold the Medes, they continued their march to Marathon and their viewed the slain [1]. Then, after giving the Athenians all praise for their achievement, they departed and returned home.

King Darius was furious [2], already upset with Athens, he was now mad with rage at the result of Marathon. Instantly he sent off messengers to make proclamations through the several states, that fresh levies were to be raised, and these at an increased rate; while ships, horses, provisions, and transports were likewise to be furnished. His men published the commands; and now all Asia was in commotion, as Greece was to be attacked, and the best and bravest were enrolled for this service, and they had to make their preparations accordingly.

Miltiades flying high on his generalship at Marathon, requested the entire Athenian fleet of 70 ships to go on a raid, but he would not mention which destination. Athens agreed and off the fleet went to Paros.

The death of Miltiades

Illistration: 'The death of Miltiades'

For 26 days the Parisians held off a determined Athenian force, until at last they retreated, without their desired goal reached. Miltiades, suffering an injury, was put on trail for his life for this costly expedition. Xanthippus lead the prosecution against him, and in the interum lifting his own status in the Athenian assembly. Miltiades got away with his life but was fined 50 talents to be repaid. He died soon afterwards from gangrene, and the fine was left to his son, Kimon, to repay Athens.

NEXT PAGE>>>Demaratus arrives at Persia

References:

'Histories' by Herodotus published by Wordsworth 1996

[1] http://www.geology.ucdavis.edu/~cowen/~GEL115/115CH6.html

 

 

Note#1:-this was probably for two reason, 1 to make sure what the Athenians were saying was true (Spartans, weren't going to take Athenians at their word), and 2 to see what kind of weapons and armour the Persians had.

Note#2: This comes across as a very biased Greek view. We already know that Darius considered the invasion of Attica as a success, but still wanted to burn Athens to the ground for thier involvment in the Ionian Revolt, as well as to expand his empire into Europe.

 

Whatever was left on the acropolis after the Persian occupation was too destroyed to use again. It was ceremoniously buried and the acropolis was cleared. The burial site of the destroyed portions of the acropolis was rediscovered in about 1863, these discoveries are called Perserschutt.