how were the greeks able to defeat the persians
https://www.greekboston.com/culture/ancient-history/greco-persian-wars/
Somehow that link does not mention the Greek (Athenian) naval victory at Salamis
here:
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Salamis
The Greeks were able to defeat the Persians in a series of military victories known as the Greco-Persian Wars. Here's an explanation of how they achieved this:
1. Unity and Leadership: The city-states of ancient Greece, notably Athens and Sparta, faced a common threat and put aside their differences to form alliances. They were led by influential leaders such as Themistocles (in Athens) and Leonidas (in Sparta), who provided strong leadership and strategic guidance.
2. Military Tactics: The Greek hoplites (heavily armed infantry) relied on a formation called the phalanx. The phalanx was a tightly packed line of soldiers holding spears and shields, creating a wall-like formation that made them formidable in battle. They utilized these dense formations to withstand the Persian attacks and protect each other.
3. Geographic Advantage: In the Battle of Marathon, the Greeks used their knowledge of the local terrain to their advantage. They positioned their troops in a way that forced the Persian army to attack from a narrow front, neutralizing their numerical advantage. The Greeks successfully repelled the Persian forces, achieving a significant victory.
4. Naval Supremacy: The Greeks recognized the importance of naval power and built a formidable fleet, particularly in Athens. At the Battle of Salamis, the Greek navy, under the command of Themistocles, lured the larger Persian fleet into the narrow waters between the island of Salamis and the mainland. The Greeks, being more maneuverable, were able to defeat the Persians in the confined space, annihilating a significant portion of their fleet.
5. Strategic Withdrawals and Delaying Tactics: In the Battle of Thermopylae, the Greek forces, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, faced overwhelming Persian numbers. Although they were ultimately defeated, they fought valiantly and used their superior fighting skills to inflict heavy casualties on the Persians. This delay allowed the Greeks to regroup and eventually defeat the Persians in subsequent battles.
6. Persian Supply Lines: The Greeks disrupted the Persian supply lines, causing logistical challenges for the Persian army. This, combined with the Greeks' knowledge of the local terrain, forced the Persians to fight on unfamiliar ground, diminishing their advantage.
Overall, a combination of unity, strong leadership, effective military tactics, knowledge of the local terrain, naval superiority, and disrupting Persian supply lines contributed to the Greeks' eventual victory over the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars.