Battle of Salamis

The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle between an Alliance of Greek city-states and the Achaemenid Empire, Persia. It happened in September 480 BC in the straits between the mainland and Salamis Island. It was part of the Greco-Persian Wars.^[2]

Battle of Salamis
Part of the Greco-Persian Wars
Satellite image of Salamis, with the straits to the mid-right
Date September, 480 BC Location The Straits of Salamis Result Decisive Greek victory. Territorial changes Persia fails to conquer the Peloponnese.
Belligerents
Greek city-states	Achaemenid Empire
Commanders and leaders
Eurybiades, Themistocles	Xerxes I of Persia, Artemisia I of Caria, Ariabignes  †
Strength
366–378 ships a	~1,200 shipsb 600-800 ships c
Casualties and losses
40 ships	200 ships
a Herodotus gives 378 ships of the alliance, but his numbers add up to 366.[1] b As suggested by several ancient sources; c Modern estimates

Although heavily outnumbered, the Greek Allies were persuaded by the Athenian general Themistocles to bring the Persian fleet to battle again. The Persian king Xerxes was also anxious for a decisive battle.

The Persian navy sailed into the Straits of Salamis and tried to block both entrances. In the cramped conditions of the Straits the great Persian numbers were an active hindrance, as ships struggled to maneuver and became disorganised. Seizing the opportunity, the Greek fleet formed in line and scored a decisive victory, sinking or capturing at least 200 Persian ships.

As a result, Xerxes retreated to Asia with much of his army, leaving Mardonius to complete the conquest of Greece. However, the following year, the rest of the Persian army was decisively beaten at the Battle of Plataea and the Persian navy at the Battle of Mycale. Afterwards the Persians made no more attempts to conquer the Greek mainland. These battles of Salamis and Plataea mark a turning point in the Greco-Persian wars; from then on, the Greek cities would take the offensive.