Artemisium
Artemisium, a promontory located on the northwest coast of Euboea, Greece, derives its name from a temple dedicated to Artemis Proseoia. This site is historically significant due to its role in the naval battles of the Greco-Persian Wars, particularly during the conflict in 480 BC. As Persian King Xerxes I advanced into Greece, the Greek city-states united their naval forces near Artemisium to confront his fleet. While Xerxes lost a significant portion of his navy to storms and engagements, the Greek forces, despite their own damages, displayed commendable resilience and strategy. The battle, although ultimately leading to a Greek withdrawal, boosted the morale of the Greek coalition, showcasing their naval prowess. The Athenians were especially recognized for their contributions during this conflict, celebrated for their role in laying the groundwork for Greek freedom. Artemisium thus stands as a symbol of resistance and cooperation among the Greek city-states during a pivotal moment in ancient history.
Artemisium
Artemision
A promontory on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Euboea, taking its name from a temple of Artemis Proseoia which, to judge from architectural fragments, was probably situated at the modern village of Potaki, near Pevki Bay.
The place derives its importance from a naval engagement in the Persian War (480). As Xerxes I moved southward into Greece, winning over Thessaly and most of the central portion of the country, the allied command of the Greek city-states opposed to him (under Spartan generalship, influenced by the Athenian Themistocles) posted its land forces at the pass of Thermopylae on the mainland, and its navy off Artemisium forty miles to the east-northeast. Xerxes' fleet, after waiting for the army to secure the Gulf of Pagasae, and then moving down past the inhospitable coast of Thessaly, lost half his battle fleet in late summer storms and three naval engagements. After three days, however, he compelled the Greek fleet, also severely damaged, to withdraw southward from Artemisium—having learned, meanwhile, that the land force of the Greeks at Thermopylae had been outflanked and its rear guard under the Spartan King Leonidas destroyed.
Central Greece was now totally lost, and Athens would have to be evacuated. Yet the battle of Artemisium had stimulated the morale of the Greeks, since they had shown their superiority, man for man and ship for ship, and could be proud that, with only a part of their naval forces, they had succeeded for a time in holding up the Persian fleet. They awarded the prize of valor to the Athenians, who according to the poet Pindar had `laid the bright foundation of freedom’ at Artemisium.