WHY GREECE?
The Persians attacked Greece in 480 B.C. in Thermopylae for a very specific reason. The Persians wanted to extend their empire to northern Europe, and Greece was the gateway. The Persians could also expand their empire by conquering Greece, which would allow more land for the Persian Empire. There was also tension between Greece and Persia from earlier battles, including the Battle of Marathon, which was the first Persian invasion of Greece. The Battle of Marathon took place 490 B.C. in Marathon, Greece.