The Battle of Plataea was a major battle fought in 479 BC between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by Sparta and Athens, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I. The battle was fought near the city of Plataea in Boeotia, and resulted in a decisive victory for the Greeks. It marked the end of the second Persian invasion of Greece, which had begun in 480 BC.

The battle was fought by an alliance of Greek city-states, including Athens, Corinth, Thebes, Megara, and Argos. They were joined by allies from other parts of Greece such as Sparta and Arcadia. The Persian forces were led by Xerxes I himself, along with his brother-in-law Mardonius.

The Greeks were outnumbered by the Persians but managed to win due to their superior tactics and strategy. The Greeks used a phalanx formation which allowed them to hold off the Persian cavalry charges while their hoplites (heavy infantry) attacked with spears and swords. The Persians were eventually defeated and forced to retreat back across the Hellespont into Asia Minor. This victory marked the end of Xerxes' invasion of Greece and secured Greek independence from Persia for many years to come.