The Greek fleet could gain nothing by any longer maintaining the position of Artemisium, and fell back towards the south, while its leaders anxiously considered where it should next take up its station.

The Persians pressed on both by land and sea.

A rapid march through Phocis and Boeotia brought Xerxes to Athens, soon after the Athenians, knowing that resistance would be vain, had evacuated it.

The Acropolis, defended by a few fanatics, was taken and burnt.

One object of the expedition was thus accomplished.