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The Greeks, at a signal, brought the sterns of their ships together
into a small compass, and turned their prows on every side towards the
barbarians; after which, at a second signal, although inclosed within
a narrow space, and closely pressed upon by the foe, yet they fell
bravely to work, and captured thirty ships of the barbarians, at the
same time taking prisoner Philaon, the son of Chersis, and brother
of Gorgus king of Salamis, a man of much repute in the fleet. The
first who made prize of a ship of the enemy was Lycomedes the son of
Aeschreas, an Athenian, who was afterwards adjudged the meed of
valour. Victory however was still doubtful when night came on, and
put a stop to the combat. The Greeks sailed back to Artemisium; and
the barbarians returned to Aphetae, much surprised at the result,
which was far other than they had looked for. In this battle only one
of the Greeks who fought on the side of the king deserted and joined
his countrymen. This was Antidorus of Lemnos, whom the Athenians
rewarded for his desertion by the present of a piece of land in Salamis.
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