60 The Rise of Athens (Themistocles and the Persian Wars, Part 3)

During the Persian Wars, the city of Athens was completely razed to the ground by the Persian army. And yet, from its ashes, a new Athens was born, more powerful and magnificent than any other city in the Mediterranean. How did the Athenians pull that off?  In this finale to our Persian Wars saga, we explore the final battles of the conflict and the clever machinations of Themistocles—one of the chief masterminds and architects of Athenian power.   Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [05:35] Aftermath of Salamis  [15:50] Xerxes Goes Home [23:20] The Final Battles (Plataea and Mycale) [39:08] The Themistoclean Walls [46:05] Themistocles' Exile and Death [55:50] Conclusion ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast