Chapter XLI: Battle of Salamis. — Retreat of Xerxes

Surprise and terror of the Greeks immediately after the battle
of Thermopylæ. — No ulterior plan of defence formed — no
new position to be found, capable of defending Attica — the
Peloponnesians crowd to fortify the Isthmus of Corinth. —
Hopeless situation of the Athenians — no measures yet taken
to remove their families from Attica. — The Athenians abandon
Attica, removing their families and property to Salamis, Ægina,
Trœzen, etc. — Unavoidable hurry and sufferings of the emigrants.
— Energy of the Athenians, and unanimity of the leaders —
Themistoklês proposes the restoration of Aristeidês from exile. —
Numbers and composition of the combined Greek fleet at Salamis.
— Xerxes occupies Athens and Attica — the Persian fleet enters
the road of Phalêrum. — The Persian army ravage the Phocian
townships in their march from Thermopylæ to Attica — pillage
of the temple at Abæ. — Persian division detached against the
temple of Delphi. — Failure, flight, and ruin of the detachment.
— Xerxes with the Peisistratids in Athens — the acropolis holds
out — is taken and sacked. — Atoning visit of the Peisistratids
to the ruined acropolis. — Xerxes reviews his fleet at Phalêrum —
debate about the policy of fighting a naval battle at Salamis —
prudent counsel of Queen Artemisia. — Resolution taken by Xerxes
to fight at Salamis. — Dissensions among the Greeks in the fleet
at Salamis. Resolution taken to remove the fleet to the Isthmus.
— Ruinous consequences, if that resolution had been executed. —
Themistoklês opposes the resolution, persuades Eurybiadês, and
prevails upon him to reopen the debate. — Synod of Grecian chiefs
again convened — Themistoklês tries to get the former resolution
rescinded — the Peloponnesians adhere to it — angry words. —
Menace of Themistoklês to retire with the Athenian squadron,
unless a battle were to be fought at Salamis — Eurybiadês takes
upon him to adopt this measure. — The Peloponnesian chiefs,
silenced for the moment, afterwards refuse obedience. Third
synod convened — renewed disputes; the majority opposed to
Themistoklês and determined on retreating to the Isthmus. —
Desperate stratagem of Themistoklês — he sends a private message
across to Xerxes, persuading him to surround the Greek fleet in
the night, and thus render retirement impossible. — Impatient
haste of Xerxes to prevent any of the Greeks from escaping — his
fleet incloses the Greeks during the night. — Aristeidês comes in
the night to the Greek fleet from Ægina — informs the chiefs that
they are inclosed by the Persians, and that escape has become
impossible. — Position of Xerxes — order of the fleets, and plan
of attack. — Battle of Salamis — confusion and complete defeat
of the Persians. — Distinguished gallantry of Queen Artemisia.
— Expectations of the Greeks that the conflict would be renewed
— fears of Xerxes for his own personal safety — he sends his
fleet away to Asia. — Xerxes resolves to go back himself to Asia
— advice and recommendation of Mardonius, who is left behind,
as general, to finish the conquest of Greece. — The Greeks
pursue the Persian fleet as far as Andros — second stratagem of
Themistoklês by secret message to Xerxes. — Themistoklês with the
fleet — levying money in the Cyclades. — Xerxes evacuates Attica
and returns home by land, with the larger portion of his army. —
Retreating march of Xerxes to the Hellespont — sufferings of his
troops. He finds the bridge broken, and crosses the strait on
shipboard into Asia. — Joy of the Greeks — distribution of honors
and prizes. — Honors rendered to Themistoklês.
104-147