Xerxes I led an invasion force which defeated the Greeks on land at Thermopylae. The Greeks were superior at sea in the battle of Salamis, after which Xerxes returned to Asia Minor.The Persian land forces, under Mardonius, were defeated at Plataea in 479 bc. With another major defeat of the Persian fleet at Cape Mycale near Samos the threat of Persian invasion was removed.

• Artemisium 07 August 0480 bc - 08 August 0480 bc (estimated date)
• Thermopylae 07 August 0480 bc - 09 August 0480 bc (estimated date)
• Salamis 23 September 0480 bc
• Plataea 0479 bc