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Ships from other Greek cities joined the Athenians at Salamis. There was some dissention. Some wanted to attack the approaching Persian fleet, consisting of 1,000 vessels; others wanted to retreat immediately. Luckily, the majority followed the leadership of Themistocles. The cunning Themistocles, knew that a retreat would be disastrous, but let the information leak that they were preparing to do so. Consequently, the Persians sent 200 vessels to cut off their escape route.

Xirxes had a throne built on the shore, so that he could watch the coming naval combat. When he was ready, he gave the signal and immediately, all the oars in the remaining 800 Persian ships began to row furiously. Here at the Salamis Straight however, the way was narrow and it was thus impossible for the mighty Persian fleet to attack at unison.

It becomes necessary to point out that naval warfare, in these oar-propelled vessels, as later in the wind-driven ones, all the way until the Battle of the English against the Invincible Armada of Spain in 1588, when the broadside pass was used for the first time in recorded history, naval warfare consisted in approaching or ramming the enemy vessel, latching on to it, boarding and fighting hand-to hand, while the defenders went to the bow or stern castles and defended them, much as if they were land castles. We have already pointed out that the Greeks far excelled in hand-to-hand combat over the Persians. The narrow Straight of Salamis prevented the Persians from using their superiority in the number of vessels to their advantage.

A horrified Xerxes saw how 200 of his best ships were sunk or captured; many more seriously damaged. It must have been with a sinking heart the he order the withdrawal of his remaining naval forces, fearing for their destruction, since the Greeks had suffered little damage in the naval battle. He was also worried about his bridge over the Hellespont and ordered his remaining ships there to protect it.

Themistocles remained at his post, at anchor. He was ready to renew the battle in the morning. With surprise, he watched as the Persian's vessels retreated. Soon, he noticed that the ground forces were leaving as well. Their retreat was in fact, precipitous.

The Persian forces that returned through the bridge made of boats, back from Greece to Asia, was but a shadow of the proud force that only a few months before, had crossed west to conquer Europe. They had suffered tremendous losses in combat but in addition, thousands had died from disease and famine.

However, Xerxes had not given up. Although he retreated with most of his forces, he left his best General, Mardonius and 300,000 troops to finish the conquest of the land.