In 480 BC the entire population of Athens streamed towards the harbours and queued to leave the city in a motley collection of vessels. No one knew what would happen next. The Persians were advancing and the Athenians were putting their faith in the revolutionary plan of a politician called Themistocles to evacuate the city and let their newly built navy face the enemy at sea. Hitherto the Athenians had always fought on land. This would be their first naval engagement. The victory that followed, in the Straits of Salamis, was a pivotal moment for Athens and for Western culture, establishing the Athenians as a seafaring nation dominant in the region and heralding a golden age in innovation. This lively and authoritative book describes the glorious era that lasted four generations, establishing Athens as a cradle of modern democracy and producing great men such as Plato and Socrates whose idesa are still relevant today.