Themistocles

Decisive Athenian victory that ended the first Persian invasion of Greece

Miltiades deliberately thinned his center and reinforced both wings. The strong Greek wings routed the Persian flanks while the weaker center gave ground, then the wings wheeled inward to envelop the Persian center. Closing the last stretch at a run minimized exposure to Persian archery, and heavily armored hoplites dominated lighter Persian infantry in the melee.

What followed

First major Greek land victory over Persia; shattered the myth of Persian invincibility and gave Athens enormous confidence ahead of the 480 BC invasion.

Recorded sideGreek city-states (Hellenic League)

Recorded resultvictory

Decisive Greek naval victory that crippled the Persian fleet

Themistocles lured the larger Persian fleet into the narrow straits where its numbers became a liability, and the more maneuverable, heavier Greek triremes shattered the crowded Persian line by ramming.

What followed

The defeat forced Xerxes to withdraw much of his force, turning the tide of the invasion and securing Greek naval dominance in the Aegean.