480 BCEReputable source · 2 sourcesWell documented
Thermopylae and Salamis
On the timeline · around 480 BCE ·
What happened
The Persian king Xerxes invaded Greece with a huge army. At the pass of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans with other Greeks held off the Persians for three days before being overwhelmed. Weeks later, the Greek fleet under Themistocles lured the Persian navy into the straits of Salamis and destroyed it.
Why it matters
The heroic stand at Thermopylae and the decisive naval victory at Salamis turned back the Persian invasion and preserved Greek independence.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Battle of Thermopylae · Reputable source
- World History Encyclopedia. Battle of Salamis · Reputable source