20. Study Questions Copy

The advice came from the Delphic oracle, urging them to put their trust in the ‘wooden walls’. Themistocles convinced the Athenians that this meant trusting in their navy, rather than ancient wooden walls that surrounded the city.

To draw the Persians into the narrow straits of Salamis, so their greater forces would not be an advantage (a similar tactic adopted by the Spartans at Thermopylae).

Artemisia, queen of Halicarnassus (the birthplace of Herodotus).

The Persians withdrew to Asia Minor. Xerxes returned to Sardis, leaving Mardonius in northern Greece. The Persians would be defeated in 479 at Platea, in central Greece. The victory would embolden Athens and would ultimately lead to their leading role in the Delian League and the subsequent establishing of an Athenian Empire.