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The First War for Western Civilizationwatch trailer

The First War for Western Civilization

41min

Documentary

War & Politics

The Greco-Persian War was pivotal in the creation of the modern world - yet all that is generally remembered are the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. This documentary examines the whole history, from the Ionian Revolt (497BC) to the Peace of Callias (449BC), and also covers the legacies of the war - including Democracy.

Episodes

Cast

Season 1

The Beginning

1. The Beginning

25th Mar 2016

A look at Athens and the First Democracy at the start of the Greco-Persian war.

Treachery

2. Treachery

25th Mar 2016

Sparta and Greece; the origins of the war; the Persian invasion of Greece at Marathon and the battle

The Battle of Marathon

3. The Battle of Marathon

25th Mar 2016

The famous battle is examined.

Rise and Fall

4. Rise and Fall

25th Mar 2016

Myths of the Battle of Marathon are examined.

The Great Invasion of Xerxes

5. The Great Invasion of Xerxes

25th Mar 2016

Leonidas and his 300 Spartans vs. Xerxes and his 250,000 Persians- the battle is joined at Thermopylae.

Leonidas and the 300 Spartans

6. Leonidas and the 300 Spartans

25th Mar 2016

The facts of the famous battle of Thermopylae.

Decision in Greece

7. Decision in Greece

25th Mar 2016

The war continues and is concluded in the Peace of Callias, aka the Peace of Kimon.

Aftermath and Legacy

8. Aftermath and Legacy

25th Mar 2016

What the Greco-Persian War means for the modern world.

First air date

25th Mar 2016

Last air date

25th Mar 2016

Status

Ended

Type

Miniseries

Original language

en

Networks