The Persian vessels became entangled one with another, and crashing together broke each other's oars.

The triple line increased their difficulties.

If a vessel, overmatched, sought to retreat, it necessarily came into collision with the ships stationed in its rear.

These moreover pressed too eagerly forward, since their captains were anxious to distinguish themselves in order to merit the approval of Xerxes.

The Greeks found themselves able to practice with good effect their favorite manoeuvre of the _periplus_, and thus increased the confusion.