In 480 BC, a significant year in ancient history, the Greco-Persian Wars were at their peak. This year is particularly noted for the famous battles of Thermopylae and Salamis. At Thermopylae, a small Greek force led by King Leonidas of Sparta made a heroic stand against the much larger Persian army commanded by King Xerxes. The naval battle of Salamis followed shortly after, where the Greek fleet achieved a decisive victory against the Persians. This year marked a turning point in the conflict, ultimately leading to the decline of Persian power in the region and the rise of Greek city-states.