Part 4/12:
Meanwhile, at sea, the Greeks initially fended off Xerxes' naval forces in the Battle of Artemisium, only to retreat upon news of Thermopylae's fall. When Xerxes burned Athens, the city’s evacuated inhabitants regrouped on the island of Salamis, preparing for decisive naval action. In a stunning twist, Themistocles feigned retreat, luring the Persian navy into the narrow strait where their numerical advantage turned into a liability. The Greek navy dismantled the larger force, leading Xerxes to watch his dreams of conquest sink along with his ships.
In summary, Xerxes' monumental invasion was a crushing defeat; it not only highlighted the determination of the Greek city-states but also solidified their sense of identity as defenders of freedom and civilization.