1497) 2,500 Years since the Battle of Salamis (or Salamina"), Greece: Hellenic Post S.A. (Greek Post or "Elta") has issued this stamps set commemorating the historic Naval Battle that turned the course of world history in the highest traditions and ideals of Greek patriotism: Date of Stamp set issue: 22.09.2020:
The early civilisations of the Mediterranean settled their disputes at sea by means of long, fast, graceful wooden ships called galleys.
These ships were moved by scores of rowers, and carried marines and a ship-sinking weapon - "the ram" (a menacing, metal-tipped extension of the keel).
In those often windless waters only oars could be relied on for maneuvering in battle, and the galleys carried their square sails mainly for cruising or fleeing.
The first galleys had single banks of oars, but to increase their speed and maneuverability, the developing navies of Egypt, Phoenicia and Greece progressed to two-banked galleys and finally to three-banked triremes, which was dubbed the "first Battle-ship" - fast moving with an awesome striking power and maneuverability.
A Greek/Athenian Trireme from the 4th Century B.C.
Each oar was pulled by one man, while a flute player or drummer sounded the stroke. Contrary to general belief, the rowers in most ancient navies were not slaves and the lash was unknown. The largest Greek Trireme, like the one shown here was 125 feet long, 20 feet wide and carried 170 oarsmen, 30 sailors, 14 spear bearers and four archers, in addition to the intimidating "ram". A trireme, properly employed was an awesome tool of war.
At the naval battle of Salamis (480 BC), where both sides used Triremes, a small Greek fleet routed a Persian fleet of about 800 ships, as they entered the narrow confines of a bay, in the strait between the port of Piraeus and the Island of Salamis, near Athens.
The Greeks, drawn up in the narrows, feigned retreat to bring the Persians crowding in, then suddenly attacked and demolished the Persian's narrow van-guard.
The Greeks took advantage of a favourable wind, ramming several Persian ships, leading to the Persian rear ranks piling into their retreating advance guard. The Greek triremes moved back and lunged so efficiently/deftly after attacking the Persian ships, that the Persian ships could not take advantage of their numerical superiority.
As to the ships available with both the adversaries:
- the "Aphrakti Trieris" (The Trireme") was the super-weapon of the Greek Fleet and a miracle of Greek ship-building and played a very vital role in the Battle of Salamina.
(The Greek fleet in the Battle of Salamis consisted of 371-378 ships. The greek losses are estimated at 40 ships).
- the "Phoenician Dieries" - which formed the spearhead of the Persian fleet.
(The Phoenician fleet in the Battle of Salamis consisted of 900-1207 ships. Their losses are estimated at between 200-300 ships.)
The Commemorative Stamps:
In this Commemorative Stamp Series, Hellenic Post has depicted on a stamp one leading figure of the Greek struggle against the Persian invaders - Themistocles (Themistoklis) - who played a vital role in the Greek naval victory during the Battle of Salamis. This historic Greek naval victory overturned the logic of numbers and determined the future of world history.
The First Day Covers (FDCs) affixed with stamps and Miniature Sheets (MS) depicting Themistiklis as well as Greek Triremes ramming Persian ships. Also depicted on other stamps are small-built models of ancient Greek and Phoenician ships, from the collection of Grypiotis.
The Special Cancellation Handstamp/Postmark is dated - "22.09.2020".
The design of the Stamps of "Themistiklis" was done with the copper-plate (halkographic) method by Giannis P. Gourzis, Professor of the School of Fine Arts, while the design and adaptation of the rest of the Stamps and products was done by Dr. Myrsini Vardopoupou Stamp engraver for the Hellenic Post.
For the "2,500 Years since the Battle of Salamis or Salamina", ELTA has depicted apart from Themistocles, (who united the Greeks against despotism, in a naval battle that was the starting point of world maritime history) micro-shipwrecked effigies of ancient Greek and Phoenician ships.
The Philatelic information for the stamps issue are:
Themistoklis stamp: - Value - 1.00 Euro + 1.00 Euro. No. of stamps printed - 25,000 copies.
Ships Employment Stamp: Value - 2.00 Euro + 0.90 Euro. No.of Stamps printed - 25,000 copies
Aphrakti Trieris (or Three Afrakti or Tri-Reme) Stamp - Value - 0.90 Euro. No. of stamps printed - 750,000 copies.
Trieris Catafrakti Stamp - Value - 1.00 Euro. No. of Stamps printed - 500,000 copies.
Themistoklis Stamp - Value - 1.00 Euro. No. of Stamps printed - 500,000 copies
Shift Employment Stamp - Value - 2.00 Euros. No. of Stamps printed - 1,250,000 copies.
Dimensions:
Four Stamps of 35.0 mm x 45.0 mm stamps are contained in Sheets of 25 Stamps each and two Sheets measuring 90.0 mm x 75.0 mm, consisting of two stamps with a dimension of 35.0 mm x 45.0 mm each in Sheets of 25 Stamps each.
Chalkographic design of Themistoklis Graphic: Giannis P. Gourzis, Professor A.S.K.T.
Design: Myrsini Vardopoulou
Colours: Multicolour
2) Some ancient coins depicting Greek mythology & history
13) Ancient Greek Theatres, Greece: Hellenic Post has brought out a set of five stamps featuring the Ancient Theatres of Dodona, Nocopolis, Kassope, Amvrakia and Gitana (all in Epirus): Stamp issue date: 08.04.2020
14) "MYRTIS", Greece: A 5 Euro Silver Coin dedicated to an 11 year old girl who was a victim of the PLague of Athens (430-426 BC) issued by the Bank of Greece: Coin issue date: 25.02.2020
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