It was not long before the greater part of the Persian fleet became a mere helpless mass of shattered or damaged vessels.

Five hundred are said to have been sunk--the majority by the enemy, but some even by their own friends.

The sea was covered with wrecks, and with wretches who clung to them, till the ruthless enemy slew them or forced them to let go their hold.
This defeat was a death-blow to the hopes of Xerxes, and sealed the fate of the expedition.

From the moment that he realized to himself the fact of the entire inability of his fleet to cope with that of the Greeks, Xerxes made up his mind to return with all haste to Asia.

From over-confidence he fell into the opposite extreme of despair, and made no effort to retrieve his ill fortune.