SALAMIS (modern name, lieturz). in ancient times called also Pityaussa (island of Pines), an irregularly-shaped, mountainous island of Greece, off the coast of Attica, and forming with it the bay of Eleusis. Its area is about 30 sq.m., and it has a modern pop illation of about the chief town being Roluri, on the w. coast. It had anciently two principUl towns, Old and New Salamis, the former on the s., and the latter on the n.e. coast. Salamis is remembered chiefly on account of the great naval battle between the Greeks and Persians, which was fought (480 me.) a few days after the battle of Thermopylae, in the narrow strait between the e. coast of Salamis and the w, coast of Attica. • The Grecian fleet, consisting of about 360 vessels, was drawn np at the entrance e the bay forming the harbor of New Salamis, Themistocles being leader of the Athe nian contingent, and Adimantus of the Corinthian, while the whole was under the corn wand of the Spartan Eurybiades. Great dissensions prevailed among the Grecian leaders, which would probably have led to a general break-up, had not Themistoeles by a strate.
gem induced Xerxes, king of the Persians, to bring up his fleet, and give immediate battle to the Greeks. Xerxes drew 'up his ships, numbering at least 1000, during the eight previous to the battle. opposite the Grecian fleet, along the coast of Attica, ahnost completely blocking up both entrances to the straits; and confident of victory if he him &elf superintended operations, he took his seat on a throne erected on a lofty height on the Attic coast, almost opposite New Salamis. Both Greeks and Persians fought with treat bravery, hut the latter were entirely defeated, owing, perhaps, chiefly to their 7Inmense, unwieldy fleet being compressed into so small a space, which rendered it almost unworkable, and completely at the mercy of their opponents. The only name mentioned on the Persian side with distinction is that of Artemisia, queen of Banns nassus, who is said to have fought with desperate bravery. The loss of the Greeks is said to have been 40, and that of the Persians 200 ships, exclusive of those which were captured.