Q&A · 21:44-22:03

Could Persia have avoided the Salamis trap?

Fire ships could force the Greeks out of confined water, allowing the Persian fleet to wait in open water instead of entering the trap.

Question

How could the Persians have avoided defeat at Salamis?

Short answer

Use fire ships to force the Greeks out of the confined position, then wait outside rather than entering the trap.

Notes

One counterfactual sends fire ships into the confined anchorage rather than following the Greeks into it. The Greeks would then face the choice of remaining among approaching incendiary vessels or leaving their protected position. Waiting outside would preserve the Persian fleet's room to maneuver and deploy its numerical advantage. Persia needed to reverse the compulsion at the heart of the Greek plan instead of accepting it.