Western Civilization I / Unit 3 WC1 0223 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Xerxes, Thermopylae, and Salamis, 480
Captions available
The idea
In four eighty Xerxes invaded with a force the anchor puts at two hundred thousand and twelve hundred ships; about six percent of poleis resisted. Leonidas held Thermopylae until betrayed. Athens was evacuated, and its navy crushed the Persian fleet at Salamis.
In practice
The witnesses name Salamis; the anchor describes it unnamed.
Where people slip
Thermopylae was a defeat that bought time. Salamis was the victory.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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