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Sparta did not initiate the Persian Wars. Sparta was very conservative about wars, relying on its reputation to avoid wars. It had problems in keeping down a restive serf population and didn't need extra problems if they could be avoided.

The Persian Wars began when the Greek cities of Asia Minor revolted against Persian rulership. Athens and Eretria intervened, and after the rebellion was put down, Persia turned on Eretria and Athens in mainland Greece, for helping the rebellious cities. This attempt failed at the Battle of Marathon and Persia decided that the only way to keep the peace was to bring all the Greek cities into its empire, where it could control them.

Persia bribed some of these cities into compliance, then invaded to subject the rest. A consortium of Greek city-states combined to oppose this invasion, including Sparta and Athens.

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10y ago

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