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The Greek fleet beats the Persians at Salamis

480 BCE, Salamis. An event.

Where and when

480 BCESalamis

2,505 years ago

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, Salamis

Off the island of Salamis the Greek fleet sinks most of the Persian ships in the battle. Herodotus says the Greeks fought in line while the Persian ships lost their order.

Since the Hellenes fought in an orderly fashion by line, but the barbarians were no longer in position and did nothing with forethought, it was likely to turn out as it did.

Herodotus 8.86.1Translated by A. D. Godley (1920)Read the full passage (Herodotus 8.86.1, opens scaife.perseus.org)

Background: Battle of Salamis, Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)

Why it matters

The battle marked the turning point in the wars between Greece and Persia, and a significant number of historians call it one of the most significant battles in human history.

Based on Wikipedia: Battle of Salamis

The Battle of Salamis marked the turning point in the Greco-Persian wars.

A significant number of historians have stated that Salamis is one of the most significant battles in human history

Wikipedia, Battle of Salamis (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-09-26. Text CC BY-SA 4.0. Our line is checked against these sentences only.

Related moments

In time order, with this one in its place. Each says why it is here.

  1. 480 BCEThis momentThe Greek fleet beats the Persians at Salamis
  2. 479 BCE1 year later Greeks defeat the Persian army at Plataea Also about war and empire
  3. 478 BCE2 years later Athens leads a new alliance, the Delian League Also about war and empire
  4. c. 461 BCEabout 19 years later Ephialtes strips the old Areopagus council of power Nearest in time
  5. 447 BCE33 years later Work begins on the Parthenon Nearest in time
  6. set in c. 447 BCEabout 33 years later Pericles counsels waiting for Time Nearest in time

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