- The Battle of Salamis (September 480 BCE) was a naval bsttle fought between the Greek allies under Themistocles and the Persian Alliance under King Xerxes I.
- Although outnumbered, the Greek Fleet succeeded in defeating the Persian Fleet marking a turning point during the Greco-Persian Wars (492-479 BCE).
Source
Date and Location
- September 480 BCE in the channel between the port of Athens, the Pireus and the island of Salamis, 2 miles offshore in the Saronic Gulf.
Who were the Adversaries?
- The Greek Allied Cities under Themistocles.
- The Persian Empire under King Xerxes I.
Who Won?
- Winner: Themistocles.
- Loser: Xerxes I.
Who was in Command?
- The Greek commander was Themistocles.
- The Persian commander was Xerxes I.
What Strength were the Forces under Themistocles?
- Total Galleys: 371-378
- Athens: 180
- Corinth: 40
- Allies: 151-8
- Losses: Undetermined
What Strength were the Forces under Xerxes I?
- Total galleys: 1207
- Phoenicia: 300
- Egypt: 200
- Cyprus: 150
- Allies: 557
- Casualties and Losses: Undetermined
Why was this Battle Significant?
- It was a turning point in the Greco-Persian wars from which the Persians never recovered.
What was the Reason for the Battle?
- This battle was part of the Second Persian Invasion of Greece (480-479 BCE), when King Xerxes I invaded Greece by a pontoon bridge across the Hellespont, accompanied by a huge navy of allied states.
How were the Navies Deployed?
- The Greek Fleet positioned itself on the island of Salamis which blocks the Gulf of Elefsina, leaving two very narrow straits. They were based on the port of Salamis which although it faces the Piraeus, is tucked behind a prtective promontory.
- The Persian Fleet was based at the port of Phalerum, and intended to crush the Greek Fleet by attacking in a massed line in front of the port of Salamis. To position themselves for battle, required the Fleet to divide into three sections and file through the straits before regrouping before the Greek Fleet.
- Both Fleets were armed with Rams and Marines for boarding.
How was the Battle Fought?
- In an attempt at encirclement, one detachment of the Persian Fleet was sent round the other side of the island, but was defeated.
- The Greek Fleet waited in front of the harbour. As the Persian Fleet lined up, they rowed backwards towards the harbour, in an apparent withdrawal.
- Before the entire Persian Fleet could line up for battle, and whilst the three lines were still entering the Strait, the Greek galleys attacked with devastating results.
- As some Persian and Allied Galleys were sunk, others tried to retreat, but were caught in a crush of the advancing Persian Fleet pouring through the Strait, resulting in multiple collisions, accidental sinkings and beaching on the opposite coast. This gave the Greek galleys easy targets to pick off.
What was the Result?
- The Persian Fleet was routed and the remainder forced to flee back to Phalerum, giving the Greek Fleet mastery of the seas.
- Xerxes I decided to withdraw his army from Greece using the pontoon bridge he had built across the Hellespont.
- His General Mardonius remained to confront the Greek Army with hand picked troops. This occurred the following year at the Battle of Plataea (479 BCE) where the Persian army was defeated and routed. At the same time at sea, the Persian Navy was routed at the Battle of Mycale.
Ancient Salamis Port