Artemisium 480BC

Question 1

Artemisium

Answer 1

• regarded as joint action with Thermopylae
• Persian fleet of 1200 sailed south to support army at Thermopylae
• Greek navy consisted of 271 triremes
• Violent storm destroyed Persian ships however Greek knowledge of local conditions allowed them to seek safety in Euripus chanel
• Persians and Greeks fought 3 battles
• 1. Greek ships charged Persian fleet, persians lost 30 ships
• 2. Further storm damages to anchored Persian ships encouraged Greeks to raid fleet engaged in reparing
• 3. Both sides sustained heavy casualties, neither gained clear victory, Greeks retreated after news of defeat at Thermopylae

Question 2

Consequences of Artemisium

Answer 2

• Greek navy able to prevent Persians from assiting land force
• Persian naval signifigantly reduced in numbers; effecting salamis (storm + battle)
• Persians unable to send naval detachments to attack other parts of Greek mainland