The island of Naxos revolted in 502 BC, precipitating the Ionian Revolt. Initially the Ionian city of Miletus under Aristagoras sought to assist the Persian satrap Artaphernes to suppress the revolt in Naxos in 499 BC, but the entire expedition proved to be a debacle. Instead, Miletus joined with Naxos and sought to spread the flames of the revolt further. The Ionians sought help from Sparta (who refused) and Athens (who provided aid); thus the mainland Greek city-states were brought into a collision course with Persia.
In 498 BC the Ionians, with support from Athens and Eretria, marched on Sardis, the regional satrap capital of Artaphernes. They captured the main city, sacked the temple and burned it down, but failed to capture the citadel. Darius mobilized the satrapies of Asia Minor, raising a relief force from the outlying regions of Anatolia and forcing the Ionians to retreat to Ephesus, where they were defeated.
From this period the Greeks were forced onto the defensive, but further cities joined the revolt. Soon Cyprus and the Hellespont had deposed their tyrants as well. The Persians launched three main offensives and took the initiative. Despite achieving a brief respite through the Battle of Pedasus in 497 BC, the Ionians were to be gradually defeated, with Miletus falling in 494 BC. Through 493 BC the
