Materials

• Class notes (see bolded text in Instructional Activities below)
• Map of the Mediterranean area
• Teacher-prepared handout listing the various battles of the Persian Wars, along with their location, dates, and outcome
• Pictures of present-day Athenian culture
• Overhead projector (optional)
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resource may be helpful in teaching this session:

• “Ancient Greece: Persian Wars.” < http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PERSIAN.HTM>.

1. Review the content covered to this point in the unit.
   
   
2. Explain that wars divide or unite nations or areas, depending on the circumstances. Provide examples such as the following:
   • The war between the American colonies and Great Britain in the 1770s and then the friendship between the United States and Great Britain in the 20th Century
   • The U.S. alliance with the Soviet Union in World War II and then the long Cold War between the two nations
   • The U.S. support of Afghanistan against the Soviets in the 1980s and then the U.S. attacks against terrorists in Afghanistan beginning in 2001
   • The U.S. support of France in World War I and World War II and the strain between these two countries before the war in Iraq in 2003
   
   
3. Ask students to suggest reasons that countries may be enemies at one time period and later join together or vice versa. Record these on an overhead transparency.
   
   
4. Explain that the ancient Greek cities of Athens and Sparta were considered enemies until the Persian Wars from 499 b.c. to 449 b.c. Provide a brief history of the Persian Wars. (The Web site above, titled “Ancient Greece: Persian Wars,” may be of assistance in preparing this history.)
   
   
5. Put the following notes on the board or overhead:
   
        The Persian Wars united Athens and Sparta against the Persian Empire.
   
   Provide a map for the students to trace the battles of the Persian War. Provide a handout that lists the various battles and their location, dates, and outcome. (The Web site above, titled “Ancient Greece: Persian Wars,” may be of assistance in preparing this handout.)
   
   Instruct students to indicate these locations on their maps.
   
   
6. Put the following notes on the board or overhead:
   
        Athens preserved its independence and continued innovations in government and culture.
   
   Have students provide examples of these innovations in government and culture.
   
   
7. Provide present-day pictures of Athens and its culture.
   
   
8. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.