Ionian Revolt

Revolt started by the city of Miletus in western Asia Minor (Ionia) in 499 BC against the Persian Empire. Along with troops from Athens and Eretria (on the island of Euboea), the confederation of Ionian cities marched on Sardis and burnt it in 498 BC. Although the revolt spread to the Greek cities on Cyprus, the revolt was consolidated and the confederation defeated in the naval battle of Lade in 494 BC. As a result Miletus was destroyed. The involvement of Athens and Eretria provided the Persians with a pretext to attack mainland Greece, which culminated in the sack of Eretria and the battle of Marathon in 490 BC.