04-27-2006, 09:00 AM
Reconstructions of the naval battle of Salamis always mention that since Antiquity the sea level has risen for about a fathom. Peter Green, whose book on the Greco-Persian wars I am now reading, agrees with this. However, he also says that at Marathon, the sea has receded. As long as the Law of the Communicating Vessels is correct, Green's statements contradict each other.
Unless, of course, an earthquake (or something like it) has pushed up the Marathon area and pushed down the Salamis area. However, to the best of my knowledge, the main fault line in the Aegean region lies east of Attica.
I have received the name of a retired geologist, who knows these things. However, I do not want to bother him with a question unless I have tried other means. So - is there anyone here who knows more about this?
(The obvious conclusion, in my view, is that Green is simply inconsistent. That would not be unique. In his account of Artemisium, he writes that the Persians could see the Greek navy during the night, and a couple of pages later, the Greeks are able to leave their base unseen.)
Unless, of course, an earthquake (or something like it) has pushed up the Marathon area and pushed down the Salamis area. However, to the best of my knowledge, the main fault line in the Aegean region lies east of Attica.
I have received the name of a retired geologist, who knows these things. However, I do not want to bother him with a question unless I have tried other means. So - is there anyone here who knows more about this?
(The obvious conclusion, in my view, is that Green is simply inconsistent. That would not be unique. In his account of Artemisium, he writes that the Persians could see the Greek navy during the night, and a couple of pages later, the Greeks are able to leave their base unseen.)
