naval took place near cyprus fleets egypt generals death fought control empire fleet led son invaded cyprus besieging brother battle complete victory resulted surrender capture cyprus result assumed royal title vacant murder alexander son followed soon background wars followed death seized control egypt taken island cyprus base operations rival cyprus forces able raid coasts syria asia minor early resolved remove threat ordered son capture island time greece previous year overthrown garrison installed athens ruler city neighbouring restored democratic rule allied result sailed athens spring capture cyprus accompanied crossing coast called join alliance father maintained good relations refused going reinforced troops crossed cyprus army infantry cavalry accompanied fleet numbering heavy ships upwards lighter vessels exact numbers somewhat unclear opposed brother disposed infantry cavalry ships landed northeast island captured towns leaving fleet marched land city confronted battle miles city defeated heavy loss dead captured retreat walls brought fleet siege train action laid siege city earn later nickname featuring time story siege tower machines opened breach wall subsequent assault nearly proved decisive able repel attack burn siege machines meantime response brother appeals arrived head warships men transports battle decided try night dash round hoping surprise combine fleet brother ships informed arrival took steps order prevent happening equipped ships missile throwers brought aboard best troops marines sailed fleet anchor outside harbour city harbour enemy fleets meant took calculated risk able defeat sail harbour attack rear fleet came view city right dawn day battle found fleet deployed waiting fleet augmented vessels ships captured cyprus concentrated bulk leaving blockade narrow exit harbour prevent delay intervention gathered best ships squadron left command admiral apparently actual overall commander fleet present left wing flagship centre comprised vessels fleet command right entrusted chief pilot second command fleet quickly matched fleet mirror opponent ordered transports carrying army fall largest ships fleet left commanded person historian writes battle effect race defeat enemy right wing turn attack enemy center added question succeed breaking time intervene according provides probably reliable account battle fleets apart raised signal attack shield fleets charged describes boarding actions missile exchanges dominated fight sing bows shower men wounded range ships come close encounter place violence soldiers decks spurred bent desperately ships drove force violence cases swept ships useless flight pursuit men board eager fight prevented joining battle ships met drew charge soldiers board shot effect mark close hand party men captains delivered broadside blow firmly fixed aboard ships enemy receiving giving severe wounds certain rail ship drawing near missed fell sea killed spears stood making good intent enemy forcing narrow deck drove sea fighting varied surprises times weaker got upper hand height ships stronger position things happen fighting kind won distinction bravery men boarded flagship striking close range spear despite subject missiles sorts tried protect shields killed severely wounded fought distinction awarded suits armour athens taken end left wings proved victorious won race time turned attack centre found rest fleet defeated flight ships command managed break blockade find battle lost tasked neon pursuing defeated enemy picking men sea returned triumph camp fleet lost damaged ships returned service repairs fleet lost ships importantly forces captured fully warships intact crews transports troops aboard aftermath following defeat retreated egypt forced surrender garrison increasing strength moved rest cyprus taking garrisons infantry cavalry army relatives friends captured soon sent egypt personal possessions victory suitable pretext royal proclamation throne having vacant murder time raised king alongside father assumption royal title followed attempt eliminate good massive failed invasion egypt autumn celebrated equally unsuccessful siege rhodes finally remaining having turn assumed royal title allied defeated killed realm broken divided proposed modern scholars possible naval battles provided occasion erection statue
Battle of Salamis (306 BC)