This documentary focuses on the conflicts between the Greek city states and the Persian Empire in the fifth century BC, including the famous Greek victory at Marathon, and the Spartans' defence of the pass at Thermopylae, which ensured Greek freedom and victory. Features dramatised reconstructions and analysis by experts in the field of ancient history. This is the story of bloody conflicts between the Greeks and the Persians that lasted for more than fifty years in the fourth century BC. It includes the famous battle of Marathon, a victory that has echoed down the year, and Thermopylae, where the Spartans made a heroic defence of the pass. The running battles did not cease until 449 BC, when the Persians finally gave up hope of annexing Greece