The Persian Wars were a defining moment in Greek history. Persia controlled the Ionian city-states and the Anatolian Peninsula in the sixth century B.C. The Persians ruled as tyrants requiring Greek citizens to serve in the army and pay steep taxes. The Athenians, with the other city-states, led a revolt by conquering and burning Sardis, the capital of Persia, in 494 B.C. Under Darius I, the Persians restored control of the rebellious Greek cities over the next two years.