The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle fought between an alliance of Greek city-states under Themistocles and the Persian Empire under King Xerxes in 480 BC. It resulted in a decisive victory for the outnumbered Greeks. The battle was fought in the straits between the mainland and Salamis, an island in the Saronic Gulf near Athens, and marked the high point of the second Persian invasion of Greece. Although heavily outnumbered, the Greek Allies were persuaded by Athenian general Themistocles to bring the Persian fleet to battle again, in the hope that a victory would prevent naval operations against the Peloponnese. Persian king Xerxes was also eager for a decisive battle. As a result of subterfuge on the part of Themistocles (which included a message directly sent to Xerxes letting him know that much of the Greek fleet was stationed at Salamis), the Persian navy rowed into the Straits of Salamis and tried to block both entrances.
In the cramped conditions of the Straits, the great Persian numbers were an active hindrance, as ships struggled to maneuver and became disorganized. Seizing the opportunity, the Greek fleet formed in line and scored a decisive victory.
In this video, I explain the battle of Salamis in detail and how a Greek slave caused the downfall of Xerxes' invasion of Greece in 480 BC. This is the same story on which the movie 300: Rise of an Empire is based.
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Xenophon and retreat of 10000 Greek warriors: • Retreat of the 10000: ...
Story of the Peloponnesian war between Athens and Sparta: • Peloponnesian War Expl...
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00:00 Introduction
00:56 Differences between the Persian Empire and the Greek Empire
02:00 Why did Xerxes invade Greece in 480 BC?
03:15 The Battle of Salamis
09:29 Order of the battle of Salamis explained
12:36 Sicinnus: A Greek slave who made all the difference
14:50 How did Themistocles trick Xerxes in the Battle of Salamis?
18:16 Conclusion