The Ionian Revolts, triggered by the actions of Aristagoras, the tyrant of the Ionian city of Miletus at the end of the 6th century BC and beginning of the 5th century BCE, constitute the first major conflict between Greece and the Persian Empire.

Most of the Greek cities occupied by the Persians in Asia Minor and Cyprus rise up against their Persian rulers in a war lasting from 499 BCE to 493 BCE.

The Ionians have early success with the sack of Sardis, but the ensuing Persian counterattack by both the army and navy is too strong: the Ionians are decisively defeated at the Battle of Lade off the coast of Miletus in 494 BCE.