Final answer:
If the Persians had won, the advancement of democratic principles and the Greek way of life, including their military innovations and cultural achievements, may have been halted. Key Greek victories, like at Marathon and Salamis, were essential in shaping Western civilization. Persian setbacks and logistical issues were vital in the success of the smaller but highly motivated and tactically superior Greek forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the Persians would have won, the development of democracy and the Greek's unique contributions to culture and warfare would have been stopped in its tracks. The spirited defense by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE was crucial for the preservation of their democratic city-state. The motivation of the Athenian soldiers, fighting for their democracy, starkly contrasted with the Persian forces who, being largely unwilling conscripts, could not match the Athenian fervor and determination.
The eventual Greek victories during the Greco-Persian Wars under the leadership of Athens and Sparta, particularly at the Battle of Marathon, exemplified the importance of trained and highly motivated citizen soldiers. Furthermore, the innovative tactics employed by the Greeks, such as the powerful phalanx formation, played a key role in these victories. Despite the immense size of the Persian military forces, logistical setbacks and internal revolts, such as the major revolt in Egypt, hindered their ability to deploy their full might against the Greeks efficiently.
Even in instances of tactical defeats, such as at the Battle of Thermopylae, the Greeks were able to regroup and secure critical victories, like those against the Persian navy, which despite their numerical disadvantage were decisive. Had the Persians won, the spread of Hellenic culture, philosophy, architecture, and the political institution of democracy could have been curtailed or even completely overshadowed by Persian influences. The very identity of Western civilization, as informed by Greek heritage, might have taken a different course.