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The Battle of Salamis
Just across the water, off the coast of the island of Salamis, the Athenian navy and its allies
congregated. Salamis was perhaps the only place off Greece where the Persians could not
make use of their vastly superior numbers. The narrowness of the channel would also maximize
the greater maneuverability of the superior Greek triremes.
A Spartan was appointed commander in chief because of the respect and decisiveness such
seasoned warriors evoked in their men, but few were under any illusion as to the real
mastermind behind the plan. Themistocles of Athens had spent years preparing for this fateful
confrontation with Persia, and now his moment had arrived. But as the days of waiting wore on,
and the flames of ravaged Athens gathered in the distant skies, the war council began to lose its
nerve…
With his plan under threat, Themistocles was forced to take the initiative. By night he sent a
messenger to the Persian king, Xerxes, informing him that the Greeks intended to flee. Unless
he acted now, Xerxes would lose the opportunity to defeat the Greeks in one fell swoop. The
Persian king took the bait.
As dawn broke Xerxes sat upon his portable throne overlooking the sea, and prepared to relish
his victory over the defiant Greeks. However, as his vast armada sailed into the narrow straits
between Salamis and the coast, they were met not by a fleet in disarray, but a well-ordered line
of triremes, packed with Greek crewmen singing battle songs. Themistocles had forced them to