<P> The second Persian invasion of Greece ( 480 -- 479 BC ) occurred during the Greco - Persian Wars , as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece . The invasion was a direct , if delayed , response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece ( 492 -- 490 BC ) at the Battle of Marathon , which ended Darius I 's attempts to subjugate Greece . After Darius 's death , his son Xerxes spent several years planning for the second invasion , mustering an enormous army and navy . The Athenians and Spartans led the Greek resistance . About a tenth of the Greek city - states joined the ' Allied ' effort ; most remained neutral or submitted to Xerxes . </P>
<P> The second Persian invasion of Greece ( 480 -- 479 BC ) occurred during the Greco - Persian Wars , as King Xerxes I of Persia sought to conquer all of Greece . The invasion was a direct , if delayed , response to the defeat of the first Persian invasion of Greece ( 492 -- 490 BC ) at the Battle of Marathon , which ended Darius I 's attempts to subjugate Greece . After Darius 's death , his son Xerxes spent several years planning for the second invasion , mustering an enormous army and navy . The Athenians and Spartans led the Greek resistance . About a tenth of the Greek city - states joined the ' Allied ' effort ; most remained neutral or submitted to Xerxes . </P>
who was the king of persia during the second invasions of greece
who was the king of persia during the second invasions of greece
King Xerxes I
King Xerxes I