Radiology Lessons From Greek History

Abstract

most prominent 100 Athenian citizens was paid 6,000 drachmas in return for the production of a ship. Given the competitive spirit of the ancient Greeks, each wanted to build the fastest and best ship, at the lowest cost. This was not a government program, as the democracy of Athens really had no formal government at the time. By the time of the Persian invasion of Greece 3 years later, Athens had 200 warships and was well on its way to newfound prosperity. Although not the stated goal of his proposal, Themistocles had envisioned a need for Athens to have a fleet for defense, as another Persian invasion was almost inevitable after the Persians were defeated in a previous attempted invasion of Greece in 492 BC. With the now strong Athenian fleet, a coalition of Greek city-states engaged in taking on the Persians, with real hope of victory, although against daunting odds. The Persians fielded well over a million men, perhaps over 2 million, and had a fleet of 1,200 ships. Even with the 200 ships from Athens, the combined Greek fleet was less than 500, but was more disciplined, better trained, and cohesive in battle strategy. The Greeks did succeed in defeating the Persians in the Battle of Salamis in 480. Before the climactic battle, Athe