in Ancient Geography, a promontory on the north-east of Euboea, (called Leon and Cale Asle by Ptolemy), memorable for the first sea engagements between the Greeks and Xerxes.

The Grecian fleet was stationed in the harbour; while that of the Persians, too numerous for any harbour to contain, had anchored in the road that extends between the city of Castrae and the promontory of Sepias, on the coast of Thessaly.

The first line of their fleet was sheltered by the coast of Thessaly; but the other lines, to the number of seven, rode at anchor, at small intervals, with the prows of the vessels turned to the sea. When they adopted this arrangement, the waters were smooth, the sky clear, the weather calm and serene: but on the morning of the second day after their arrival on the coast, the sky began to lower; the appearance of the heavens grew threatening and terrible; a dreadful storm succeeded, and for three days raged with unabating fury. Four hundred galleys were destroyed by its violence, besides a vast number of store-ships and transports. Eight hundred ships of war, however, besides innumerable vessels of burden, sailed into the Pegasian bay, and anchored in the road of Aphete, which, at the distance of a few miles, lies directly opposite to the harbour of Artemisium.

The Grecians had posted sentinels on the heights of Euboea to observe the consequence of the storm, and to watch the motions of the enemy. When informed of the disaster which had befallen them, they poured out a joyous libation, and sacrificed with pious gratitude, to "Neptune the Deliverer."

The Persians, however, being recovered from the terrors of the storm, prepared for battle; and as they entertained not the smallest doubt of conquering, they detached 200 of their best sailing vessels round the isle of Euboea, to intercept the expected flight of the enemy through the narrow Euripus.

About funfet the Grecian fleet approached in a line; and the Persians met them with the confidence of victory, as their ships were still sufficiently numerous to surround those of their opponents. At the first signal the Greeks formed into a circle, at the second they began the fight. Though crowded into a narrow compass, and having the enemy on every side, they soon took 30 of their ships, and sunk many more. Night came on, accompanied with an impetuous storm of rain and thunder; the Greeks retired into the harbour of Artemisium; the enemy were driven to the coast of Thessaly.

By good fortune, however, rather than by design, the greatest part of the Persian fleet escaped immediate destruction, and gained the Pegasian bay; but the ships ordered to sail round Euboea met with a more dreadful disaster. They were overtaken by the storm, after they had adventured further from the shore than was usual with the wary mariners of antiquity. Clouds soon intercepted the stars, by which alone they directed their course; and after continuing during the greatest part of the night the sport of the elements, they all perished miserably amidst the shoals and rocks of an unknown coast.

The morning arose with different prospects and hopes to the Persians and the Greeks. To the former it discovered the extent of their misfortunes; to the latter it brought a reinforcement of 53 Athenian ships. Encouraged by this favourable circumstance, they determined again to attack the enemy, at the same hour as on the preceding day, because their knowledge of the coast and their skill in fighting their ships rendered the dusk peculiarly propitious to their designs. At the appointed time, they sailed towards the road of Aphete; and having cut off the Cilician squadron from the rest, totally destroyed it, and returned at night to Artemisium.—The Persian commanders being deeply affected with their repeated disasters, but still more alarmed at the much-dreaded resentment of their king, they determined to make one vigorous effort for restoring the glory of their arms. By art and stratagem, and under favour of the night, the Greeks had hitherto gained many important advantages. It now belonged to the Persians to choose the time for action. On the third day at noon, they sailed forth in the form of a crescent, which was still sufficiently sufficiently extensive to enfold the Grecian line. The Greeks, animated by former success, were averse to decline any offer of battle; yet it is probable that their admirals, and particularly Themistocles, would much rather have delayed it to a more favourable opportunity. Rage, resentment, and indignation, supplied the defect of the barbarians in skill and courage. The battle was longer, and more doubtful, than on any former occasion; many Grecian vessels were destroyed, five were taken by the Egyptians, who particularly signalized themselves on the side of the barbarians, as the Athenians did on that of the Greeks. The persevering valour of the latter at length prevailed, the enemy retreating, and acknowledging their superiority, by leaving them in possession of the dead and the wreck. But the victory cost them dear; since their vessels, particularly those of the Athenians, were reduced to a very shattered condition; and their great inferiority in the number and size of their ships, made them feel more sensibly every diminution of strength.

**Artemisium**, a town of Oenotria, (Stephanus): now S. Agatha, in the Hither Calabria, on the river Pissaurus, or la Foglia, distant eight miles from the Tuscan sea.—Another of the Contestani, in Spain, (Strabo); otherwise called Dianium: now Denia, on the sea coast of Valencia.