937956
Thermopylae & Artemisium
480BC
- The two positions were totally interdependent, since defeat of either force would necessitate the withdrawal of
the other. Buckley, p. 171
- Inevitable?
- Persian resources unimpaired – not a defeat
- Death of Dareios 486 BC
- Revolt in Egypt 485 BC
- 481 BC Massive preparations under way
- Canal dug – connection between Mount Athos Peninsular to Chalkidike
- Double bridge of boats across Hellespont
- All preparations open to Greek world
- Persian resources unimpaired – not a defeat
- why was 480 different?
- Led by Xerxes himself
- Why would he decide to do this?
- Delphic oracle told the Athenians to ‘fly to the world’s end’ (Hdt.7.140)
- Athenians ask for a second message
- Attack by land and sea
- Xerxes doesn’t demand submission
- Led by Xerxes himself
- Results
- Persian losses supposedly greater than Greek
- 4000 Greeks (lots of helots)
- 20,000 Persians
- 4000 Greeks (lots of helots)
- Probably exaggerated
- In three naval battles and two storms the Persian fleet suffered heavy losses
- Perhaps half were taken out of action
- Perhaps half were taken out of action
- In three naval battles and two storms the Persian fleet suffered heavy losses
- The morale of the Greeks was not effected
- Central Greece now open for invasion
- General evacuation ordered in Athens
- Persian losses supposedly greater than Greek
- Importance
- Loss of Thermopylae forced the submission of Boeotia
- Blame on Sparta?
- Excuse on sacred Olympic and Carnean festivals?
- Many Peloponnesians did not approve of Themistocles’ policy
- The decision of Sparta to delay the dispatch of their main forces
was based on the confidence that an adequate number of troops
had been sent to Thermopylae:
- Excuse on sacred Olympic and Carnean festivals?
- Themistocles’ plan to hold the fleet at Artemisium played a decisive role
- The Persian fleet could not divide and make raids against the Peloponnese to make diversions – forced
to pick one fight only
- The Persian fleet could not divide and make raids against the Peloponnese to make diversions – forced
to pick one fight only
- Therefore, they sent their advance guard, not thinking that the campaign at Thermopylae would be
decided so soon. Herodotus 7.206.2 (quoted in Buckley, p. 172)
- Loss of Thermopylae forced the submission of Boeotia
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