One of the highlights in the history can be called Salamis.The date of his -daleky 480 BC.Just after King Leonidas was defeated in a battle with the Persians, Xerxes moved his army into the heart of Greece.Not one day of his campaign did not do without the bodies that the Persian army left behind.The Persians were erased from the earth all living things, and the one who refused to go to their side, was defeated.Tens of burned villages, fields and the desecration of the Greek shrines - that Xerxes brought to their land.It was during this period and held Salamis.
Letting Athens
Finally, the Persians came to the heart - the city called Athens.Before they got there, the Greek authorities carried out emergency evacuation of population, crossing of women, children and the elderly on the island of Peloponnese.The others took up arms and were distributed to those in the army who is in the Navy.
However, there were those who refused to leave his house.Erecting barricades on the Acropolis, they decided to fight the Persian army.But it was broken, did not last the day.Athens fell, and residents had no choice, how to look at the dying city with departures boards Trier.Naturally, the sailors did not want to move away from much of the city.On the contrary, they were eager to massacre of the Persians.
Themistocles
He was one of the leaders of that time.Despite its simple origins (his mother was not even Thais), Themistocles disaccustomed with honors in high school and was in the supreme council, later becoming the father of the founder of Athenian democracy.
Thanks to his reforms, Athens soared in its development to unprecedented heights.It was he who formed a powerful fleet, making borders impregnable and gave resistance to the Persians in the day when there was the battle of Salamis.The commander Themistocles, his tactics and cunning influenced the outcome of the battle.Only through him 380 Greek triremes were able to resist the enemy, whose fleet exceeds Athens almost tripled.
As the battle took place
Battle of Salamis Strait occurred due to the retreat of the Greek fleet.Make a stop, military leaders began to discuss the further plan of action.Most saw a way out to swim to the island and the Peloponnese to fight there.This is explained by the fact that the sailors wrecked ships can freely sail to the land, where they will meet their same.This helps to avoid the fate of being defeated or be captured if to attack the Persians in the straits.
At this time, the Persians gathered its entire fleet, landing on nearby islands and were ready to go to the Greeks.Themistocles, however, challenged the idea of the majority, focusing on strategic superiority.The Persians did not know the water and, in addition, moving heavy vessels that did not give them the opportunity to maneuver as well as the Greek trireme.In addition, Themistocles was based on information received from one of his confidants.And she concludes that if the Greeks get to land, then scatter on Human Settlements, and together again will not gather.It blocked all the cards the other generals.And after some preparations began Salamis.
trick of Themistocles
In order to win, it was necessary to divide the army of Xerxes.To do this, Themistocles went to the next trick.During the night before the battle of Salamis took place, the commander sends his faithful servant (Persian origin) with a message to the king Xerxes that he Themistocles, admires its grandeur and wish him a speedy victory over the Greek fleet.Why and said that this morning the Athenian fleet departs the Strait in order to change to a more advantageous position near the island of Peloponnese.
Oddly, but Xerxes comes to this part of the hook and sends its fleet to round the island to attack the Athenians, on the other hand, cutting them an opportunity to escape.Basically the same forces he planned to strike at the rear of the retreating enemy fleet.
battle and its outcome
What a surprise it was the Persians, when instead of numerous food they met the retreating ships approaching him straightened sails Trier and battle songs of the Greek sailors.Thus began the battle of Salamis.The date of his according to official sources - 28 September 480 BC.Just two days before the full moon.The outcome of the battle was the defeat of the Persian fleet.At night, when the opponents have dispersed to their positions, Xerxes ordered urgently to build the dam, which was intended to divert attention of the Athenians.He himself planned to soon leave Athens, but left there in the winter one of his many infantry regiments.
the Greek generals, a winged victory, just wanted to send their forces to inflict a second blow to the Persians, but here they were stopped by Themistocles sensed something was wrong.According to him, if before they met only conceited because of his conquests hulking barbarians, now they may well freshen up and act more than reasonable.The best option, according to the commander, was given leave to Xerxes and his army.Undoubtedly, Salamis was a significant event for the Greeks, but that did not stop the war.
