Xerxes' Greek adventure : : the naval perspective / / by H.T. Wallinga.

• Superior document: Mnemosyne. Supplementum ; Volume 264
• VerfasserIn: Wallinga, H. T.,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden, Netherlands ;, Boston, [Massachusetts] : : Brill,, 2005.; ©2005
• Year of Publication: 2005
• Language: English
• Series: Mnemosyne, bibliotheca classica Batava. Supplementum ; Volume 264.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (x, 174 p. ); ill., maps
• Notes: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

This volume deals with Xerxes’ invasion of Greece (480 B.C.), particularly as a naval operation. It examines the traditions preserved by Aischylos, Herodotos, and others against the background of the revolutionary naval developments in the period preceding Xerxes’ decision to attack. Among the subjects discussed are: the naval pressure on Persian foreign policy; the strength in numbers of the Persian navy in 480; its deployment in the waters of Salamis related to the physical features of the battlefield and the position of the Greeks; Themistokles’ legendary message as a key to the Persian plan of attack; the quality of the opposing ships and their tactical capabilities; the battle of Salamis itself and its outcome. The book includes maps and a photograph of the area discussed.

Table of Contents

Preliminary Material -- INTRODUCTION -- THE GREAT PERSIAN WAR: THE NAVAL BACKGROUND -- THE NUMBERS OF XERXES’ FLEET -- THE TEXT OF AISCHYLOS’ PERSIANS 366–68 AND THE PERSIAN BATTLE ORDER -- THE BATTLEFIELD OF SALAMIS AND ITS TACTICAL POSSIBILITIES -- THEMISTOKLES’ MESSAGE AND THE PERSIAN WAR AIMS -- THE SEIZURE OF PSYTTALEIA AND THE PERSIAN PLAN OF ATTACK -- THE QUALITY OF THE SHIPS -- TACTICAL CAPABILITIES -- THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS -- EPILOGUE -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX OF AUTHORS AND INSCRIPTIONS CITED -- GENERAL INDEX -- SUPPLEMENTS TO MNEMOSYNE by H. Pinkster , H.S. Versnel , I.J.F. de Jong and P.H. Schrijvers.