Battle of Salamis

What disadvantage did the Greeks face?

Unity of Greeks was questionable - fewer numbers

What was a quote from Bradley about Greeks victory and their democratic system

"Salamis was a victory too for the Athenian system of government. It proved to the Greek world that a democratic system could defeat an autocratic power" (Bradley).

What is an Herodotus quote about the Persian ships?

"The enemy was in hopeless confusion; such ships as offered resistance or tried to escape were cut to pieces by the Athenians" (Herodotus).

What advantage did the Greeks have?

- Appropriate ships & knew water ways well.

When was the Battle of Salamis?

480 BC

What were the key events of the Battle of Salamis?

1. Initial dispute as to best location to fight 2. Eurybiades held a war council - most in favour of fighting at the Isthmus as Salamis was considered too risky - Themistocles argued for a stance at Salamis 3. Reasons: a. Narrow, restricted waterways gave Greek triremes advantage b. Salamis crowded with Athenian refugees more defence c. If Greeks successful Persians wouldn't be able to advance onto the Peloponnese 4. Themistocles threatened Eurybiades with the removal of Athenian ships if the fight was not at Salamis 5. According to Herodotus the Greek commanders met at Salamis and argued about whether to fight or retreat. Themistocles sent a secret message to Xerxes stating that the Greeks were disunited and were going to flee. 6. Xerxes sent Egyptian squadron to sail around Salamis and block it so Greeks couldn't escape and the remaining Persians sailed to other positions 7. Greek squadrons were already waiting hidden behind 2 promontories and destroyed the Egyptians 8. Greeks and Persians attacked in the narrows of Salamis - ships rammed each others and many Persians drowned.

What was Persia's plan in the battle of Salamis?

Defear Greeks through and numbers

What was the Greek leaders?

Eurybiades (Spartan) and Themistocles

What advantage did the Persians have?

Larger fleet - which they relied on to win

What disadvantage did the persians face?

Little knowledge of the seas, large ships akward in narrow waters

Why did the Greeks win the battle of Salamis?

Reasons for Victory: Narrow waterways favoured Greek ships. Persians taken by surprise Persian fleet severely weakened by removal of Egyptian squadron Triremes more agile than Persian ships Themistocles understood the importance of naval power, advantage of the Bay of Salamis EFFECTS: Saved Peloponnese and developed Athens into a naval power Persian loss of ships left their army without a supply line Major humiliation for Xerxes HOWEVER: Xerxes still achieved destruction of Athens Persian army undefeated on Greek soil Xerxes in control of central/northern Greece

Overview of the Battle of Salamis?

The battles of Artemisium and Thermopylae provided the Persians with victories (either complete or strategic) enabling them access to Greece, and they marched on Athens as soon as they were able which led to the Battle of Salamis. However 'winning' came at a huge cost in troops and resources for Persia, and the revenge march Darius I started that Xerxes was determined to finish clouded their reasoning which ultimately contributed to the defeat of Persia in the Persian wars. Xerxes and his Persian Generals once again underestimated their opposition at the battle of Salamis (480 B.C). They failed to plan for future outcomes, overestimated the skill of their naval tactics and was again outmanoeuvred by superior strategies because of an over reliance on his superior numbers. The narrow waterways of Salamis favoured the Greek ships and Triremes that the Greeks used were more agile than Persian ships. In addition Herodotus also writes that the Persians lost as "The Greek fleet worked together as a whole" so even though they were "evenly matched in courage and strength" their lack of unity was a key factor in their downfall. Furthermore the Persians were weakened severely because of the removal of the Egyptian squadron as the Greeks used the narrow waterways to detached Egyptian squadron, and the Persians did not have access to reinforcements. The Persian army lost numerous ships because (as said by Herodotus) "the enemy was in hopeless confusion; such ships as offered resistance or tried to escape were cut to pieces by the Athenians", leaving their army without a supply line which was a major humiliation for Xerxes. Salamis was a victory for the Athenian system of government. It proved to the Greek world that a democratic system could defeat an autocratic power and is widely regarded as the 'turning point' of the Persian War. Furthermore, the battle of Salamis demonstrated how inferior Persian naval tacts were compared to the Greeks. The Persians were responsible for their own defeat in the battle of Plataea (479 B.C) and Mycale(479 B.C) as seen also at the Battle of Salamis because their army lacked the capacity to function as a unit and fought as individuals.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Salamis for the Greeks?

Victory! - Thus boosted Athenian moral - major turning point in the wars

Who was the Persian leader?

Xerxes

What was the aim of the Greek in the Battle of Salamis?

defeat the Persians to secure control of the sea so that Persians couldn't get around the Pass at Isthmus

What aim was the Persians in the Battle of Salamis?

gain control of sea and defeat Greeks

What was the outcome of the battle of Salamis for the persians?

lost the battle - began the Persian forces demise throughout the course of the wars.

What was the Greek plan int he Battle of Salamis?

made effective use of narrow waterways and detached Egyptian squadron

• Reasons given for fighting at Salamis:

• Narrow waters • Fighting in a narrow area favours Greeks • Open seas favours Persians • As our (Greek) women and children are there - helps preserve them • Fighting for the Peloponnese - the main objective • Draw the Persians into the area • If successful - that will stop the Persian advance to the Isthmus (near Sparta) • The battle at Salamis the next day was a resounding success for the Greeks & Spartans and Themistocles who had encouraged/advised the overall strategy