Accounting for losses incurred in the manner described above it is estimated that perhaps around 500 triremes faced the Greeks at Salamis but there is no scholarly consensus on even an approximate figure. [95][96] The Allied fleet probably formed into two ranks, since the straits would have been too narrow for a single line of ships. Since it brought about that attack, perhaps the most important military lesson is to be found in the use of deception by Themistocles to bring about the desired response from the enemy. [42] Salamis was, for the Persians, an unnecessary battle and a strategic mistake.[85]. When was the Battle of Salamis: September 480 BC. A congress of city states met at Corinth in late autumn of 481 BC,[21] and a confederate alliance of Greek city-states was formed. The naval Battle of Salamis in 306 BC took place off Salamis, Cyprus between the fleets of Ptolemy I of Egypt and Antigonus I Monophthalmus, two of the Diadochi, the generals who, after the death of Alexander the Great, fought each other for control of his empire. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2021) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. However, the Allies, under Spartan leadership, eventually agreed to try to force Mardonius to battle, and marched on Attica. [68] Diodorus[69] and Lysias[70] independently claim there were 1,200 ships in the Persian fleet assembled at Doriskos in the spring of 480 BC. A narrow sea passage near the island is where the decisive sea victory that the Oracle of Delphi spoke of came true. [106], Approaching the Allied fleet in the crowded Straits, the Persians appear to have become disorganised and cramped in the narrow waters. Cartwright, Mark. Ariabignes, the son of Darius, commanded the Ionian, Carian, Achaimene, and Egyptian fleets. [34], The time-line for Salamis is difficult to establish with any certainty. However, he also says that other Greeks denied this story. With more Persian ships pressing in from the rear and the Corinthians joining from the side, there must have been a chaos of broken ships and drowning men - particularly amongst the Persians who had no shore to retreat to and most probably could not swim. [136] It is also worth mentioning that the celebrated blossoming of hugely influential Athenian culture occurred only after the Persian wars were won. [43] The Peloponnesians were in favour of evacuating,[44] and at this point Themistocles attempted his ruse with Xerxes. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. Prominent commanders l… Overlooking from his command post in the early morning, Xerxes would have seen not a fleet about to retreat but the Greeks positioned two-ships deep along a 3 km long curve, perhaps presenting a line of 130 ships against the Persian main front of 150 ships, three ships deep. It seems probable that the Persians would not have attempted this unless they had been confident of the collapse of the Allied navy, and thus Themistocles's subterfuge appears to have played a key role in tipping the balance in the favor of the Greeks. [11], In 491 BC, Darius sent emissaries to all the Greek city-states, asking for a gift of 'earth and water' in token of their submission to him. Naval Battle of Salamis (29 September 480): important battle during the Persian War, in which the Greek allies defeated the Persian navy. When was ths Battle of Salamis? [92], The Persians preferred a battle in the open sea, where they could better utilize their superior seamanship and numbers. [97][100] However, rather than attacking immediately, the Allies initially appeared to back their ships away as if in fear. However, he writes that the next year, the Persian fleet numbered 300 triremes. [29], The Allied fleet now rowed from Artemisium to Salamis to assist with the final evacuation of Athens. [90] It is therefore probable that the Allies had extra marines on board if their ships were less maneuverable, since boarding would then be the main tactic available to them (at the cost of making the ships even heavier). Cambridge University Press. [98] Diodorus suggests the Allied fleet was aligned east–west, spanning the straits between Salamis and Mount Aigaleo; however, it is unlikely that the Allies would have rested one of their flanks against Persian occupied territory. [64][65] Herodotus claims that these losses were replaced in full,[66] but only mentions 120 ships from the Greeks of Thrace and nearby islands as reinforcements. The objective was to puncture a hole in the enemy vessel or break a sufficient number of their oars to disable the ship. It is important to note that despite the inexperienced crew on part of the Athenians, these newly constructed triremes would ultimately prove crucial in the forthcoming conflict with Persia. Also, they had to stay close to shore as each night they needed to be beached if the light wood was not to become water-logged, significantly reducing the speed performance of the vessel. Kynosura is the promontory that closes the bay of Marathon and Keos is an island at the very tip of Attika off Cape Sunion. When Ariabignes attempted to board on their ship, they hit him with their spears, and thrust him into the sea. Although heavily outnumbered, the Greek Allies were persuaded by the Athenian general Themistocles to bring the Persian fleet to battle again, in the hope that a victory would prevent naval operations against the Peloponnese. [120], The Persian fleet began to retreat towards Phalerum, but according to Herodotus, the Aeginetans ambushed them as they tried to leave the Straits. According to legend, a messenger was sent from Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 25 miles (40 km), and announced the Persian defeat before dying of exhaustion. The Battle of Salamis is regarded by many historians as one of the most important battles in world history. [100] Another possibility (not exclusive of the former) is that the departure of the Corinthians triggered the final approach of the Persians, suggesting as it did that the Allied fleet was disintegrating. 480 BC. However, it was strategically not necessary for the Persians to actually fight this battle at Salamis. The number of 1,207 (for the outset only) is also given by Ephorus,[71] while his teacher Isocrates claims there were 1,300 at Doriskos and 1,200 at Salamis. The site of the ancient mooring site is on the island of Salamis, at the coastal Ambelaki-Kynosaurus site. Xerxes, sitting on Mount Aigaleo on his throne, witnessed the carnage. Trireme Hull with Bronze Ramby Magnus Manske (CC BY-SA). [36] Nevertheless, Xerxes and his chief advisor Mardonius pressed for an attack. Prior to full engagement between the opposing fleets, there were two principal strategies employed by the more able commanders. The Persian position was still strong despite the defeat - they still controlled much of Greece and their large land army was intact. Much of this centres on the suggestion, from Herodotus, that the Allied ships were heavier, and by implication less maneuverable. According to Herodotus, this was dawn, and as the Allies "were putting out to sea the barbarians immediately attacked them". [9][10] Darius also saw the opportunity to expand his empire into the fractious world of Ancient Greece. Ancient History Encyclopedia. [39] Alternatively, this change in attitude amongst the Allies (who had waited patiently off the coast of Salamis for at least a week while Athens was captured) may have been in response to Persian offensive maneuvers. [100] At any rate, if they indeed ever left, the Corinthians soon returned to the battle. Last modified May 05, 2013. Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization. [99] However, modern historians have greatly debated this point, with some pointing out the difficulties of maneuvering in this confined space by night, and others accepting Herodotus's version. "Battle of Salamis." Herodotus’ figures are once again inconsistent, his grand total of 380 triremes making up the Greek fleet is 15 more than the sum of his individual state contributions: The figures for some states are suspiciously similar to those given before the Battle of Artemision, implausibly suggesting either they suffered next to no losses in that conflict or a swift replacement of vessels. The two other senior commanders were Themistocles of Athens and Adeimantus of Corinth. [81] Conversely, the Greeks sought to make the best use of their numbers by defending restricted locations and to keep the Persians in the field for as long as possible. Aeschylus states a total figure of 310 and Thucydides 400. [39] However, Herodotus does not mention this (and possibly alludes to the Egyptian presence in the main battle), leading some modern historians to dismiss it;[102] though again, others accept it as a possibility. [33] He eventually won through, and the Allied navy remained off the coast of Salamis. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE. [85] However, in the final reckoning, both sides were prepared to stake everything on a naval battle, in the hope of decisively altering the course of the war. What was the Battle of Salamis death toll: Probably at least 50,000. The Battle on the plain of Marathon in September 490 BCE between... A hoplite (from ta hopla meaning tool or equipment) was the most... Themistocles (c. 524 - c. 460 BCE) was an Athenian statesman and... Fast, manoeuvrable, and with a bronze-sheathed ram on the prow... Cycladic states contribute to the victorious. In the resulting Battle of Thermopylae, the rearguard of the Greek force was annihilated, whilst in the Battle of Artemisium the Greeks had heavy losses and retreated after the loss at Thermopylae. [97] Herodotus has the Allied fleet in a line running north–south, probably with the northern flank off the coast of modern-day Saint George's Islet (Ayios Georgis), and the southern flank off the coast of Cape Vavari (part of Salamis). The Battle of Salamis (/ ˈ s æ l ə m ɪ s / SAL-ə-miss; Ancient Greek: Ναυμαχία τῆς Σαλαμῖνος, romanized: Naumachía tês Salamînos) was a naval battle fought between an alliance of Greek city-states under Themistocles, and the Persian Empire under King Xerxes in 480 BC. [134], Like the Battles of Marathon and Thermopylae, Salamis has gained something of a 'legendary' status (unlike, for instance, the more decisive Battle of Plataea), perhaps because of the desperate circumstances and the unlikely odds. Battle of Salamis. Herodotus VIII, 84; Macaulay translation cf. And the tombs of your forebears: now is the struggle for all things. The Persians generally carried more - 14 combatants and 30 Medes armed with bow, spear, and sword. During the day the … It is not on things of wood that the issue hangs for us, but on men and horses...If then you so desire, let us straightway attack the Peloponnese, or if it pleases you to wait, that also we can do...It is best then that you should do as I have said, but if you have resolved to lead your army away, even then I have another plan. In 490 BCE Greek forces led by Athens met the Persians at the Battle of Marathon and defeated the invaders. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. [17] These were both feats of exceptional ambition, which would have been beyond any other contemporary state. [100] In the centre, a wedge of Greek ships pushed through the Persians lines, splitting the fleet in two. Herodotus clearly believed that the Persian fleet actually entered the Straits at nightfall, planning to catch the Allies as they fled. [90], There has been much debate as to the nature of the Allied fleet compared to the Persian fleet. In Athens, however, the ambassadors were put on trial and then executed; in Sparta, they were simply thrown down a well. The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle between the Greek City-states and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I. [7][8] Moreover, Darius was a usurper, and had spent considerable time extinguishing revolts against his rule. Behind the main Greek line, the Aegina contingent and some of the Athenian ships waited in reserve. [55] The fleet was effectively under the command of Themistocles, but nominally led by the Spartan nobleman Eurybiades, as had been agreed at the congress in 481 BC. This battle was the Battle of Salamis, a battle that took politics to conjure up support for and was pivotal in the changes of fortunes for one side engaged in the battle. [49] However, his numbers for the individual contingents only add up to 371. [39][94] What follows is more of a discussion than a definitive account. [35] Possibly, a Persian army had been sent to march against the Isthmus in order to test the nerve of the fleet. Since they were not planning to flee after all, the Allies would have been able to spend the night preparing for battle, and after a speech by Themistocles, the marines boarded and the ships made ready to sail. [137] This view is based on the premise that much of modern Western society, such as philosophy, science, personal freedom and democracy are rooted in the legacy of Ancient Greece. The Persians, meanwhile, were stationed at the Phaleron Bay, less than 10 km away across the Saronic Gulf and close to the captured Piraeus. After a series of political negotiations, it became clear that the Persians would not gain victory on land through diplomacy and the two opposing armies met at the Battle of Plataea in August 479 BCE. [67] Aeschylus, who fought at Salamis, also claims that he faced 1,207 warships there, of which 207 were "fast ships". He sent a servant, Sicinnus, to Xerxes, with a message proclaiming that Themistocles was "on the king's side and prefers that your affairs prevail, not the Hellenes". The Greeks, fielding the largest hoplite army ever seen, won the battle and finally ended Xerxes’ ambitions in Greece. Mark is a history writer based in Italy. The Battle of Salamis — 2,495 years ago this month — was not the end of the war, but its result was decisive. [47], However, the Peloponnesians may have been party to Themistocles's stratagem, so serenely did they accept that they would now have to fight at Salamis. Ιστορία του Ελληνικού Έθνους (History of the Greek nation) vol Β, Εκδοτική Αθηνών (Editorial Athens) 1971. There were a series of revolts amongst Greek cities states in Asisa Minor, 10 years prior to the battle of Salamis. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. [84] However, as equally demonstrated by Thermopylae, if the Greeks could be outflanked, their smaller numbers of troops could be destroyed. The 2500th anniversary of this event is commemorated this month. [40] Themistocles claimed that the Allied command was in-fighting, that the Peloponnesians were planning to evacuate that very night, and that to gain victory all the Persians needed to do was to block the straits. [100][101] Regardless of when they attempted it, it seems likely that the Persians pivoted their fleet off the tip of Cape Vavari, so that from an initial east–west alignment (blocking the exit), they came round to a north–south alignment (see diagram). [14], Darius therefore began raising a huge new army with which he meant to completely subjugate Greece; however, in 486 BC, his Egyptian subjects revolted, indefinitely postponing any Greek expedition. It is for me, however, to enslave and deliver Hellas to you with three hundred thousand of your host whom I will choose. The Achaemenid fleet (in red) entered from the east (right) and confronted the Greek fleet (in blue) within the confines of the strait. You shall destroy the children of women.…” The second prophecy offered a glimmer of hope, but as usual the words were ambiguous and subject to interpretation. Battle ensued, and Demetrius won the victory, killing 1,000 and capturing 3,000 of Menelaus’ forces. Battle of Marathon (September 490 BCE), in the Greco-Persian Wars, decisive battle in which the Athenians repulsed the first Persian invasion of Greece. Naval. The Greeks had recently lost the Battle of Thermopylae and drawn the naval Battle at Artemision, both in August 480 BCE, as King Xerxes I (r. 486-465 BCE) and his Persian army went on the rampage. Ancient History Encyclopedia. The next objective was to quell once and for all the collection of potentially troublesome rebel states on the western border of the empire. Where was it fought? Due to the victory, Greek civilization would flourish and entered its golden age. The final stage of the battle was the transferral of the Greek hoplite force on Salamis over to the mainland which then made short work of the Persian land forces. The Greeks won at Salamis, one of the greatest and most significant military victories in antiquity. Burn, A. R. (1985). & Rankov, B.R. A second strategy was therefore adopted by the allies. The Battle of Salamis: The Naval Encounter that Saved Greece -- and... Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The Battle of Salamis The battle of Salamis was a naval battle that happened in 480 B.C.E and was fought by the Greeks and Persians. [12] This meant that Sparta was also now effectively at war with Persia. The Battle of Salamis (/ˈsæləmɪs/ SAL-ə-miss; Ancient Greek: Ναυμαχία τῆς Σαλαμῖνος, romanized: Naumachía tês Salamînos) was a naval battle fought between an alliance of Greek city-states under Themistocles, and the Persian Empire under King Xerxes in 480 BC. This was remarkable for the disjointed Greek world, especially since many of the city-states in attendance were still technically at war with each other. Related Content [100], According to Plutarch, Ariabignes was killed by Ameinias and Socles (Greek: Σωκλής) of Pallene. As a defence against these two tactics, an able commander would ensure one of his flanks was closed off by shallows or coastline and ensure his crews were sufficiently drilled to maintain close order. The straits of Salamis, between the island of Salamis and the Athenian port city of Piraeus. Books On the western (right) wing the Phoenicians faced the Athenians and the Ionians against the Spartans. [15] Xerxes crushed the Egyptian revolt, and very quickly restarted the preparations for the invasion of Greece. It was won by the Greeks whom were much better at sea battle than the Persians who were used to fighting on land. [106] If this did in fact occur, one possible interpretation is that these ships had been a decoy sent to reconnoitre the northern exit from the straits, in case the arrival of the encircling Egyptian detachment was imminent (if indeed this also occurred). Nevertheless, below are his figures for triremes  - warships with three banks of oars (note the contributions from conquered or pro-Persian Greek cities): An alternative source - the writer of Greek tragedy Aeschylus - does seem to support Herodotus in his Persae (472 BCE) where he states that the Persian fleet had 1,207 ships compared to the Greek force of only 310. Triremes had a weakness in that they could only operate effectively in relatively calm seas with waves less than 1 m high; otherwise, water would enter via the oar-ports and flood the ship. [10] A preliminary expedition under Mardonius, in 492 BC, to secure the land approaches to Greece ended with the conquest of Thrace and forced Macedon to become a client kingdom of Persia. And when the sun set where were they? [35] Clearly though, at some point after capturing Athens, Xerxes held a council of war with the Persian fleet; Herodotus says this occurred at Phalerum. [39] Xerxes evidently took the bait, and the Persian fleet was sent out that evening to effect this block. [8] Darius then died whilst preparing to march on Egypt, and the throne of Persia passed to his son Xerxes I. Liberate your country, liberate [30] Following Thermopylae, the Persian army proceeded to burn and sack the Boeotian cities that had not surrendered, Plataea and Thespiae, before marching on the now evacuated city of Athens. He counted them at break of day— As Demetrius approached Salamis, the Ptolemaic forces stationed there – some 12,000 infantry and 800 cavalry, under the command of Ptolemy’s brother, Menelaus – were awaiting his arrival on a nearby plain. Asia with much of the great naval battles in History, Salamis saw the opportunity, the Allied fleet to. Athens and burned the city state of Athens, but nowhere explicitly states as much known as the Ionia and. Athens and Attica bow, spear, and marched on Attica likelihood of employing! 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An MA in Political Philosophy and is the promontory that closes the of... The site of the Empire Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in Canada military in... Culmination of Themistocles ’ fleet was considerably smaller: c. 300 ships in total the general.

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