The failed siege triggered the Ionian Revolt and set in motion the Greco-Persian Wars, which lasted roughly 50 years.
Key Facts
- Date
- 499 BC
- Persian fleet size
- 200 triremes
- Siege duration
- Four months
- Outcome
- Persian-Ionian force withdrew without success
- Consequence
- Triggered Ionian Revolt and first Persian invasion of Greece
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Exiled Naxian aristocrats approached Aristagoras of Miletus seeking restoration to their island. Aristagoras saw the opportunity to strengthen his position and petitioned the Persian satrap Artaphernes and King Darius the Great for military support. The Persians consented and assembled a fleet of 200 triremes under the command of Megabates to carry out the conquest.
The combined Persian and Ionian expeditionary force sailed for Naxos, but a quarrel between Aristagoras and Megabates led someone—possibly Megabates—to warn the Naxians in advance. Arriving to find the city well prepared, the besieging force spent four months in a fruitless siege and, having exhausted its funds, was compelled to withdraw to Asia Minor without achieving its objective.
The humiliating failure left Aristagoras fearing removal from power, prompting him to incite the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. The revolt spread to Caria and Cyprus before Persia crushed it at the Battle of Lade. Darius then vowed to punish Athens and Eretria for supporting the rebels, leading directly to the first Persian invasion of Greece in 492 BC.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Aristagoras, Megabates.
Side B
1 belligerent