Press ESC to skip cutscene
Having squandered the Great King’s fleet, Aristagoras rightly feared for his head —
and most of his other body parts.
But fear can make men do unexpected things. Rather than flee, Aristagoras launched a rebellion.
Aristagoras knew that he’d need all the men he could muster.
He sailed to Greece with a bronze map that showed the rich Persian realm,
hoping to tempt would-be fortune seekers from their rocky homeland.
The cautious Spartans refused to get involved,
but the Athenians, who are fond both of great adventures and reckless decisions,
were easily persuaded.
Returning with these Athenian treasure-hunters,
Aristagoras marched across Ionia, rallying cities to his cause
and deposing any rulers who remained loyal to the Persians.
Now, there are some who think
that Aristagoras was a true freedom fighter, committed to Greek liberty;
others say he acted out of desperation, or embarrassment;
others think he wanted only greater power for himself.
Whatever the truth may be,
Artaphernes’ once-peaceful satrapy was now the site of a major rebellion,
led by a man with nothing left to lose.