Salamis Island (original) (raw)

The Greek island of Salamis is the largest island in the Saronic Gulf, about 1 nautical mile off-coast from Piraeus. Paloukia Port is the main port, in size second only to Piraeus in Greece. The name Salamis is probably derived from Salam (chalam), meaning calm or peace, under which it was mentioned in Homers writings. It also could have been named after Cychreus's mother (Cychreus was the first king of the island).

Salamis island is known for the Battle of Salamis, and as birthplace of Ajax the great and Euripides.

In modern times, it is home to a Greek naval base which serves as headquarters for the Greek navy. The harbor was bombed by the German Luftwaffe in 1941, sinking the Kilkis (formerly the USS Idaho (BB-24)) and the Lemnos (formerly USS Mississippi (BB-23)).

See also : Cychreus -- Pisistratus -- Solon -- Telamon