Two Persian invasions of Greece. The first, a punitive expedition against Athens in 490 BC, was defeated at Marathon. The second, in 480 BC, was an all-out attempt at conquest by Xerxes, who led a massive force into Greece. After initial victories and the burning of Athens, the Persians were defeated at sea at Salamis (480) and Mycale (479), and on land at Plataea (479). The victory brought a surge of self-confidence to the Greeks and above all to Athens.