Salamis 480BC Flashcards
1
Q
Salamis
A
- Athens evacuated due to difficulty to defend
- Men enlisted, women and children (salamis)
- Small portion of Athenians refuse to leave, barricade themselves in the acropolis
- The ships returned from Artemisium were under the command of Eurybiades (Spartan king), Themistocles (athenian general) led athenian contingent
- Greek ships 380 vs Persian 500
- Themistocles suggested should engage Persia at Salamis (narrow straight, difficult to navigate for persians, greek ships better suited)
- Xerxes returned to Hellespont concerned with possibility of Ionian revolt
- Greeks Victorious at sea
2
Q
Importance
A
- Turning point in war, Persian fleet largely detsroyed
- Persian strategy of combined land and sea operation now impossible
- Loyalty of Ionian Greeks weakened, without navy Persia couldnt maintain control
- Greek Morale raised - idea of Persian invincibility broken
- Persians still held all of northern Greece
3
Q
Eurybiades
A
- Spartan commander in chief of Greek navy at Artemisium and Salamis
- Chosen as Peloponesian allies refused to serve under Athenian commander
- Strong working relationship with Themistocles
- Awarded prize of valour (herodotus)
4
Q
Themistocles
A
- Given main credit for strategy at Salamis
- Herodotus tells us that Themistocles promoted battle to prevent Greek fleet from deserting cause and sailing for Isthmus
- Thucydides states “through force of genius and by rapidity of action, this man was supreme at doing precisely the right thing at precisely the right moment”
