Final answer:
The Athenians defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis. This marked a significant turning point in the Persian Wars as the destruction of the Persian fleet by Athens led to a shift in power dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Persians were defeated at the Battle of Salamis by the Athenians. After the Battle of Thermopylae, the Athenians withdrew to the island of Salamis and relied on their fleet for protection. The ensuing naval conflict led to the destruction of the Persian ships, compelling Xerxes to withdraw significant parts of his force from Greece as he no longer had a fleet to supply them.
This became a crucial turning point in the Persian Wars (492-449 BCE), which were primarily a struggle between the Persian Empire and the Greek city-states. The Battle of Salamis demonstrated the powerful naval capabilities of the Athenians, allowing them to assert their dominance in the region.
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