The Greek Strategy of Defense in 480

The Greek Strategy of Defense in 480

In 480 Persia amassed a huge fleet, built with the intensions of taking

over the entire country of Greece. Although this was not there first attempt,

with the enormous fleet they brought it would be one of their best. In order

to counter this attack from the Persians the Greek city-states had to unite

together to defend themselves. Many great leaders came to the forefront

because of this invasion. For the Greeks Themistocles planned, motivated,

and conspired ways to keep Athens and all of Greece safe against Persia.

Themistocles' impact was so great that there was a decree carved in stone

found many years after the war about a major strategic move he created that

the Greeks used to gain their victory over Persia. But the authenticity of this

decree is still questionable today. While for the Persians, their king Xerxes

was in controlled of the military.

Persia's attempt to besiege Greece in 480 appeared to be a very strong

plan, they had brought a huge fleet of ships; all with full crews ready to

dominate the Greek ships. "First, on board the 1207 ships from Asia, there

was the original complement drawn from over Asia of 241,000 men,

allowing for two hundred men per ship. Each of these ships also carried, in

addition to their native crew, thirty marines." (Waterfield 469) Herodotus

goes on to say that there were at least 3000 penteconter (smaller ships),

which held 80 men on each. Plus there were 20,000 men on camel, and

chariots, so the Persian naval force alone was 500,000 men. Herodotus also

says