History // Ancient Greece & Rome
Marathon and Thermopylae
Describe the battles of Marathon and Thermopylae as moments when Greek city-states united against the invading Persian Empire — the runner Pheidippides bringing news of victory at Marathon (origin of the marathon race), and the heroic stand of 300 Spartans at Thermopylae — and understand these wars were fought to defend Greek independence
Quick check
Could the learner tell you about the famous battles of Marathon and Thermopylae, and explain that the Greeks were fighting to defend their freedom against the Persian Empire?
Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.
Topic // Mastery
What mastery looks like
- Retell the story of the Battle of Marathon and the runner Pheidippides
- Describe the Spartan stand at Thermopylae against a much larger Persian army
- Explain that the Persian Wars were about Greek city-states defending their freedom
Topic // Map
Where this fits
- RequiredMust come first
- HelpfulHelps, but not essential
Before this
1 topic- Athens Versus SpartaRequired
Ancient Greece & Rome // Ages 7 to 9
Persian Wars unite Athens and Sparta — need to know both city-states
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Marathon and Thermopylae
Ages 7 to 9 // Concept
Leads to
1 topic- Alexander the Great's EmpireRequired
Ancient Greece & Rome // Ages 9 to 11
Alexander's conquests follow the Persian Wars — same geographic/military context
History // Ancient Greece & Rome
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