The Persian Wars During the Persian Wars there were many leaders and many great battles. Themistocles who was the leader of those who had followed Peisistratus. Miltiades was driven out from the Chersonesus by Persians, and was constantly hated by the Persians. Aristides was an aristocrat who often disagreed with Themistocles. All three leaders united to lead the Athens against Persia. During the Marathon war Sparta didn't fight because they were in the mist of a religious festival. The Persian general Datis took most of his troops and sailed for Phalerum to attack Athens form the south. During the war Miltiadies slaughtered Persians who remained on the plain of Marathon