Cynosura

His journey from Aegina had taken him almost directly into the path of the Persians, as his ship passed the south coast of Salamis and rounded the Cynosura peninsula into the straits.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

Of Artemis of the golden sword and seagirt Cynosura

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

Meanwhile, the central-eastern part of the Persian fleet, says Herodotus, “was posted between Ceos and Cynosura.”

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

The Kamateró peninsula rises to the north, protecting the harbor from the north wind, while south of the harbor the Cynosura peninsula offers shelter from both the south wind and the waves of the Saronic Gulf.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

The Cynosura peninsula on Salamis is clear, but we do not know where Ceos was.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

Leading the ships out from Ambelaki Bay, the Spartans anchored the right end of the Greek line near the tip of the Cynosura peninsula.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

We might guess that the Aeginetans hid their ships behind the Cynosura peninsula or behind the island of Psyttaleia, after Aristides had led the operation to drive the Persian soldiers from it.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

Just northeast of Cynosura lies the islet of Psyttaleia; together the islet and the peninsula all but block off the eastern end of the Salamis straits from the Saronic Gulf.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

Then, all along the straits from St. George to the Cynosura peninsula, ship after ship began to aim at each other.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004

Extending between Cynosura and either Cape Trophy or St. George, the Greek line was between two and two and a half miles long.

The Battle of Salamis Barry Strauss 2004