Artemisia

Artemisia Who: Took the throne after the death of her husband over Ionia under the Persians. Was a participant in the battle of Salamis Was the only one against fighting the Greeks at Sea and tried to convince Xerxes to no avail. During the battle she escaped death by ramming her own ship into her allies convincing the Greeks she was on their side. Xerxes, watching the battle from afar, assumed the ship she rammed was that of the enemy, so she managed to successfully play both sides with her maneuver. After the battle she escaped back to the Persian side. When: 5th century BCE around 480 Why: convinced Xerxes to retreat to Persia after the Battle of Salamis, against the advice of Mardonius.