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Which Greek city-states fought against Xerxesâ invasion of Greece?
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Herodotus
Herodotus, detail of a Roman herm probably copied from a Greek original of the first half of the 4th century bce; in the National Archaeological Museum, Naples.
To resist the invasion of Greece by Xerxes in 480 BCE, approximately 30 Greek city-states formed a general alliance. This coalition was organized by Sparta, which was granted command of the land and naval forces.1
While the alliance included numerous states, the resistance was led primarily by Sparta and Athens. Key participants and details regarding the alliance include:4
- Leadership and Strategy: Sparta provided the commander in chief for the land forces, while Athens, under the leadership of Themistocles, provided the bulk of the naval strength.1
- Scope of the Alliance: The coalition sought to unite Greeks against the threat of being turned into a Persian province. Efforts were made to include distant or colonial Greeks, such as those from Crete and Syracuse, though their participation was limited or non-existent.2
- Notable Engagements: Forces from various city-states, including Boeotia, fought alongside the Spartans at Thermopylae.34
- Divisions: Greek unity was not absolute. Some city-states, such as Thebes, were noted for "Medizing" (siding with Persia), while Argos remained neutral.2