With the pass cleared, the Persians had an unobstructed route to Athens, which itself was in turmoil. The Greek general Temistocles persuaded the Athnians to abandon their city and to sail to the island of Salamis.
With Athen evacualted Xersis' army entered thecuty and destroyed it. Themistocles next tricked Xerxes into attackeing th Atheniaan fleet in the Strait of Salamis.
The narrow waters of the strait gave the light, maneverable Greek ship an advantage over the lumbering Persian ships. From his throne high atop the coastal plain, Xerxes watched in horror as the Athenian ships rammed and sank many of the Persian ships. After abandoning the naval attack, Xerxes withdrew.
Back to the Persian Wars