Battle of salamis

• Who is the main source for the battle discussed in the study material?

  Herodotus
• Why would Herodotus have known Athenian folklore about the victory?


  He lived for part of his life in Athens
• What event did the Persians march towards after Thermopylae?

  Athens
• What was happening simultaneously with the battle at Thermopylae?


  The Persian and Greek navies were skirmishing at Cape Artemisium
• What did the Greek ships do after the Persians broke Thermopylae?


  They turned to defend southern Greece
• What was the fate of the Persian navy after the Greek ships retreated?


  The Persian navy did not pursue them
• How did the Persian army treat cities that opposed them during their march?


  They brutally sacked those cities
• What was the focal point of the Persian march?

  Athens
• What had Athens done to the Persian army in 490?


  Administered a humiliating defeat at Marathon
• What did the Persians find when they arrived at Athens?

  The city was almost empty
• What was the Athenian strategy before the Persians reached Thermopylae?


  They debated how to meet the Persian advance
• Who persuaded the Athenians to leave the city?

  Themistocles
• Where did the men of fighting age go during the Persian advance?

  They sailed to the island of Salamis
• What happened to the temples of the Acropolis when the Persians arrived?


  They were looted and burnt to the ground
• What evidence has archaeology revealed about the burning of Athens?


  There is a 'burn-level' that corresponds to this period
• Where did the Athenians watch the smoke rising from?

  Nearby Salamis
• What did the Greek naval commanders do after withdrawing from Artemisium?


  They brought their ships to harbour on the east side of Salamis
• How many cities provided ships for the Greek fleet according to Herodotus?


  Twenty-one cities
• How many ships did Athens provide for the Greek fleet?

  200 ships
• What was the disagreement among the Greek commanders regarding the battle?


  They were divided on the best place to meet the Persians
• What did the Peloponnesian cities want to do with the Greek ships?


  Move them back to the south side of the isthmus
• Why did some Peloponnesian ships sail away when they saw the smoke rising from Athens?


  They took fright
• How did Themistocles influence the Greek commanders' decision?


  He persuaded them to fight in the straits of Salamis
• What advantage did Themistocles argue would help the Greeks in the straits of Salamis?


  The narrow waters would help compensate for fewer ships
• What was the outcome of the Greek commanders' meeting after Themistocles' persuasion?


  They agreed to stay at Salamis and join the battle
• Where was the Persian navy drawn up according to Herodotus?


  Phaleron
• What was the reported number of ships in the Persian navy?

  Between 400 and 1200 ships
• Who was the only captain against fighting at Salamis?

  Artemisia
• What did Artemisia believe about fighting for the Persians?


  It was in the best interests of her people
• What advice did Artemisia give to Xerxes regarding naval action?


  To be prepared for a more long-term approach
• How did Xerxes react to Artemisia's arguments?

  He listened respectfully but chose to follow the majority
• What did Themistocles do to influence the battle's outcome?


  He sent a slave to deceive the Persians
• What message did Sicinnus deliver to the Persians?


  That the Greek commanders were planning to sail away
• What was the result of Sicinnus' message to the Persians?


  They moved their ships to block the entrance to the straits
• What did Themistocles do before the Greeks boarded their ships?


  He delivered a rousing speech
• How did the Greeks line up their ships before the battle?

  According to their cities, with Athenians on the left
• What initial tactic did the Greeks use when the battle began?


  They rowed their ships backwards
• What advantage did the Greeks have in the battle according to Herodotus?


  The narrow channel and shallow water favored them
• What did Aeschylus describe the battle as?


  A bloodbath
• What happened to many Persian sailors during the battle?


  They drowned because they could not swim