It took place in September 480 BC between an alliance of Greek city-states and the Persian Empire. The battle was fought in the straits between the mainland and the island of Salamis, near Athens. The Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, defeated the much larger Persian fleet, led by Xerxes I.
The Battle of Salamis had a number of significant effects:
1. The battle marked a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars. The Greeks had been on the defensive up to this point, but their victory at Salamis gave them the initiative. They went on to win a number of other battles and eventually expelled the Persians from Greece.
2. The battle demonstrated the importance of naval power. The Greek navy was much smaller than the Persian navy, but it was better trained and more experienced. The Greeks also used their knowledge of the local waters to their advantage.
3. The battle boosted the morale of the Greeks. They had been fighting a long and difficult war against the Persians, and the victory at Salamis gave them hope that they could ultimately prevail.
4. The battle led to the decline of the Persian Empire. The Persians were badly defeated at Salamis, and they never regained their former power. The Greek victory inspired other subject peoples of the empire to rebel, and the Persian Empire eventually collapsed.
5. The battle had a lasting impact on Western civilization. The Greek victory at Salamis ensured that Greece would remain an independent nation and would not become part of the Persian Empire. This allowed Greek culture to flourish and spread throughout the Mediterranean world.