479 BC

Centuries:	6th century BC · 5th century BC · 4th century BC
Decades:	500s BC 490s BC 480s BC 470s BC 460s BC 450s BC 440s BC
Years:	482 BC 481 BC 480 BC 479 BC 478 BC 477 BC 476 BC

[edit] Events

The Persian commander Mardonius, now based in Thessaly, wins support from Argus and western Arcadia. He tries to win over Athens but fails.
Mardonius attacks Athens once more and the Athenians are forced to retreat. Mardonius razes Athens. The Spartans march north to support Athens against the Persians.
27 August - The Battle of Plataea in Boeotia ends the Persian invasions of Greece as the Persian general Mardonius is routed by the Greeks under Pausanias, nephew of the former Spartan King, Leonidas. The Athenian contingent is led by the repatriated Aristides. Mardonius is killed in the battle and the Greeks capture enormous amounts of booty. Thebes is captured shortly thereafter and the Theban collaborators executed by Pausanias.
27 August - Meanwhile at sea, the Persians are defeated by a Greek fleet headed by Leotychides of Sparta and Xanthippus of Athens at the Battle of Mycale, off the coast of Lydia in Asia Minor.

Burn, A.R., "The Pelican History of Greece", Penguin Books, England, 1987.
Hornblower, S. & Spawforth, T., ed. "Who's Who in the Classical World", Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000.
Mellersh, H.E.L., "Chronology of the Ancient World", Barrie & Jenkins, London, 1976.
Trager, J., "The People's Chronology", Aurum Press, London, 1992.ca:479 aC