Dominant naval power in Greece | Ancient Greek | History | Interesting Fact | Shorts,
After the Battle of Marathon (490 BCE), where the Athenians defeated the invading Persian forces, Athens recognized the need to be prepared for future Persian invasions. As a result, they expanded their naval fleet to strengthen their defenses against potential threats from the Persian Empire.
The discovery of rich silver mines near Athens, particularly in Laurium, provided the city with a significant source of wealth. This unexpected wealth from the mines allowed Athens to finance the growth of its navy and expand its maritime capabilities beyond what was initially anticipated.
During the Battle of Salamis (480 BCE), the Athenian-led Greek fleet successfully defeated the larger Persian fleet, led by King Xerxes. This victory played a crucial role in forcing Xerxes to retreat from his plans to invade Central Greece, thereby protecting Athens and the rest of Greece from further Persian aggression.
At the end of the Persian Wars (479 BCE), the Athenian fleet, along with other Greek allies, defeated the remaining Persian fleet stationed at its homeport in Mycale, Anatolia. This victory contributed to the overall weakening of Persian naval power in the region.
With its victory in the Persian Wars and the possession of a powerful navy, Athens emerged as the dominant naval power in Greece. The Athenian fleet was used to establish control over the Aegean Sea, which allowed the city-state to exert its influence over other Greek cities and islands in the region.
In the following decades, Athens utilized its naval dominance to support anti-Persian revolts in regions like Egypt. Additionally, they employed their naval power to promote Athenian interests and assert their influence over other Greek city-states, which sometimes led to the establishment of Athenian-controlled alliances and leagues.
