or KOLURI, an island of Greece, in the Saronic Gulf, off the coast of the ancient Attica and Megaris. Its length is about 10 miles, and its greatest breadth nearly the same; but owing to the irregularity of its outline the entire area is not more than 50 square miles. A deep bay indents its western coast, and thus gives the island something like a semicircular form. Between the island and the mainland lies the beautiful Bay of Eleusis, communicating with the sea at either end by a narrow strait. These channels are deep and not difficult of entrance, and the bay within is very safe; but in modern times the Bay of Salamis, on the west coast, has been preferred for a harbour. The island is rugged and barren, but some portions of it produce vines and olives. At one period it had large pine forests; whence its ancient name of Pityassa. Salamis formed up to 620 B.C. an independent state; but about that period a contest arose for its possession between Athens and Megara, which was at length settled in favour of the former by the arbitration of Sparta. The island continued under the Athenian dominion till 318 B.C., when it received a Macedonian garrison; and in 232 Athens regained possession of it by purchase. The Salayer chief towns were Old and New Salamis, the former on the south and the latter on the north-east coast. Salamis is chiefly remembered for the great naval battle fought here in 480 B.C., which secured the independence of Greece. It took place in the narrow channel to the east of the island; the Greek fleet under Themistocles was posted in front of New Salamis, the Persian armada was ranged along the opposite coast, with the immense army drawn up on the shore behind them, and King Xerxes enthroned on a lofty promontory to view the anticipated victory. But the event disappointed his expectations; the vast numerical superiority of the Persians was of no avail, for want of sea-room, against the skill of their foes; the magnificent fleet was totally destroyed, and barely succeeded in conveying the monarch home in safety. A trophy was erected on the most easterly point of the island to commemorate the victory.