480 BC Facts for Kids

Millennium:	1st millennium BC
Centuries:	6th century BC – 5th century BC – 4th century BC
Decades:	510s BC 500s BC 490s BC – 480s BC – 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC
Years:	483 BC 482 BC 481 BC – 480 BC – 479 BC 478 BC 477 BC

The Persian invasion of Greece in 480–479 BCE

The year 480 BC was a very important time in ancient history, especially for the Greeks and the powerful Persians. It was a year filled with big battles and major events that shaped the future of these ancient civilizations. This year is famous for some of the most well-known conflicts between the East and West.

Events

By place

Greece

In May, Xerxes I, the mighty king of Persia, began a huge march. He led his massive army from Sardis through Thrace and into Macedonia. His goal was to conquer Greece.
A group of 10,000 Greek soldiers went to the Vale of Tempe. This was a narrow valley they hoped to defend against the invading Persians.
On August 11, the famous Battle of Thermopylae took place. This battle ended with a victory for the Persians under King Xerxes. Even though the Greeks fought bravely, they were outnumbered.
After King Leonidas I of Sparta died heroically at Thermopylae, Pausanias became the regent. A regent is someone who rules for a king who is too young. Pausanias ruled for Leonidas' son, Pleistarchus.
The Persian army caused a lot of damage to areas like Phocis and the coasts of Euboea. Many Greek cities, including Thebes and most of Boeotia, decided to join King Xerxes.
King Alexander I of Macedon was forced to join Xerxes in his fight through Greece.
In August, the Persians also won a naval battle against the Greeks at the Battle of Artemisium.
On September 21, the Persians attacked and took over Athens. Before this happened, most of the people of Athens had already left. They moved to Salamis and then to Peloponnesus to escape the invasion.
Just a week later, on September 28, the Battle of Salamis happened. This was a major sea battle where the Greeks won a huge victory against the Persian navy. This battle was a turning point in the war.

Roman Republic

In the Roman Republic, Roman troops marched to fight against the Veientes. This was a conflict between Rome and a nearby Etruscan city.

Sicily

King Xerxes wanted the Carthaginians to attack the Greeks in Sicily. So, Carthage sent a very large army across the sea.
The Greek city of Himera asked for help from Carthage in its fight against Akragas. However, with the help of Gelo, the Carthaginians were defeated in the Battle of Himera.

Persian Empire

The Imperial treasury at the Persepolis Palace was finally finished. It had taken thirty years to build this important part of the Persian Empire's capital.

By topic

Arts

The Archaic period of sculpture in Greece came to an end around this time. A new style, called the Severe (Early Classical) period, began.
A sculpture called Dying warrior was made. It was placed in the left corner of the east pediment of the Temple of Aphaea in Aegina. Today, you can see it in Munich, Germany.
The famous sculpture of a Kritios Boy was created on the Acropolis in Athens. It is now kept in the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
Work started on a detailed wall painting called Musicians and Dancers. This painting is in the Tomb of the Lionesses in Tarquinia. It was finished about ten years later.

Births

Euripides, a famous Greek playwright (died 406 BC)
Antiphon, an orator from Attica (died 411 BC)
Philolaus, a Greek mathematician and philosopher (died around 405 BC)

Deaths

for more information, see Category:480 BC deaths.

August 11 – Leonidas I, the brave King of Sparta (died at Thermopylae)
Xenophanes, a Greek philosopher (born around 570 BC)
Hamilcar, a Carthaginian general

480 BC facts for kids