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Rumors had circulated in Athens for centuries of faraway, unknown civilizations being brought low by a mysterious peoples of heavily-armed fearsome warriors. The Sea Peoples were a boogeyman, a story told by Athenian parents to teach the next generation morals. Don't lie, because the Sea Peoples will come and take you away like they take away all lying little boys!
But, for the leaders of Athens, a council of honorable men of the city, blessed by the city's religious institutions, the threat of the Sea Peoples was more than just rumor, but the administration of the city, the development of the countryside, and the war waging between neighbors to the west and north, drained the Athenian elites' attention.
The first raid came in 845 BC.
The rumors were true! Oh how pathetic the Athenian men look in their wool, armed with clubs and stones, against the large men armed with mysterious metal weapons and superior army. It was only the civic spirit of the fighting warriors, fighting for their city and not for loot, that saved the day. The Sea Peoples were routed and finally defeated.
For fifty years, there was peace and development. Athens developed, power centralized into the hands of a few men, and mines, pastures, camps sprung up around the city.
The Sea Peoples arrived again in force again! Like their grandfathers, they landed in the forest to the east of Athens and attacked. In the greatest moment of dishonor in the short-lived history of Athens, a band of warriors defected to the Sea Peoples. The treachery did not save them. The Sea Peoples were once against defeated and routed, the defenders of Athens sallied forth to crush the weakened Sea Peoples and execute the traitors.
The greatest moment in the history of Athens segued into her greatest defeat. Lured out of the city, the Athenian men faced the blunt of a second assault from the sea. Wave after wave smashed into the disorganized bleeding masses of Athen's finest. The cliffs of Athen's defense eroded and collapsed into the burly wave, and by the end of night, Athen's army was destroyed.
Athens was defeated. She faced an enemy who could not be negotiated with. Boys, the elderly, and women fought in the final defense of Athens, but after three days of battle, Athens was razed to the ground.
Nobody knows what Athens could have become had her defenders not sallied forth that day like their grandfathers sallied forth after repelling the last Sea Peoples invasion...
But, for the leaders of Athens, a council of honorable men of the city, blessed by the city's religious institutions, the threat of the Sea Peoples was more than just rumor, but the administration of the city, the development of the countryside, and the war waging between neighbors to the west and north, drained the Athenian elites' attention.
The first raid came in 845 BC.
The rumors were true! Oh how pathetic the Athenian men look in their wool, armed with clubs and stones, against the large men armed with mysterious metal weapons and superior army. It was only the civic spirit of the fighting warriors, fighting for their city and not for loot, that saved the day. The Sea Peoples were routed and finally defeated.
For fifty years, there was peace and development. Athens developed, power centralized into the hands of a few men, and mines, pastures, camps sprung up around the city.
The Sea Peoples arrived again in force again! Like their grandfathers, they landed in the forest to the east of Athens and attacked. In the greatest moment of dishonor in the short-lived history of Athens, a band of warriors defected to the Sea Peoples. The treachery did not save them. The Sea Peoples were once against defeated and routed, the defenders of Athens sallied forth to crush the weakened Sea Peoples and execute the traitors.
The greatest moment in the history of Athens segued into her greatest defeat. Lured out of the city, the Athenian men faced the blunt of a second assault from the sea. Wave after wave smashed into the disorganized bleeding masses of Athen's finest. The cliffs of Athen's defense eroded and collapsed into the burly wave, and by the end of night, Athen's army was destroyed.
Athens was defeated. She faced an enemy who could not be negotiated with. Boys, the elderly, and women fought in the final defense of Athens, but after three days of battle, Athens was razed to the ground.
Nobody knows what Athens could have become had her defenders not sallied forth that day like their grandfathers sallied forth after repelling the last Sea Peoples invasion...
Bravo!
