September 30, 2025 • 25 mins
Hello fellow Mortals!
In this episode, I read-aloud my short story called "Bay of Blood". This story reimagines the historical naval battle of Salamis in 480 BCE from Queen Artemisia's perspective.
The battle of Salamis was a naval battle that took place in 480 BCE between the free Greeks and Persia and is considered one of the most crucial battles in history. I've added a fantastical twist that, of course, includes the Greek gods.
If you would like to support this podcast, you can buy me a coffee through my ko-fi page:
https://ko-fi.com/authormjpankey
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https://mjpankey.com
MJ Pankey retains all rights to her work. Any works created by other authors that feature on MJ Pankey Reads have been granted express permission by the author and publisher to be read on the podcast.
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You can purchase MJ Pankey's novels at https://books.by/muse-and-quill-press
Purchase all MJ's recommended titles at https://bookshop.org/shop/MJPankeyReads
In this episode, I read-aloud my short story called "Bay of Blood". This story reimagines the historical naval battle of Salamis in 480 BCE from Queen Artemisia's perspective.
The battle of Salamis was a naval battle that took place in 480 BCE between the free Greeks and Persia and is considered one of the most crucial battles in history. I've added a fantastical twist that, of course, includes the Greek gods.
If you would like to support this podcast, you can buy me a coffee through my ko-fi page:
https://ko-fi.com/authormjpankey
Learn more about me and my other published works at:
https://mjpankey.com
MJ Pankey retains all rights to her work. Any works created by other authors that feature on MJ Pankey Reads have been granted express permission by the author and publisher to be read on the podcast.
For ad-free episodes, join a membership tier on her Ko-Fi page at: https://ko-fi.com/authormjpankey/tiers
Subscribe to MJ Pankey's website at https://mjpankey.com
You can purchase MJ Pankey's novels at https://books.by/muse-and-quill-press
Purchase all MJ's recommended titles at https://bookshop.org/shop/MJPankeyReads
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome fellow Mortals to MJ. Pankey Read's podcast. This podcast
exists for me to read aloud my books, and if
you enjoy listening to audiobooks, you can listen along for free.
So thank you so much again for your time and attention,
and I hope you enjoy the show. Today I'm reading
(00:41):
Bay of Blood, which is a short story I wrote
a few years ago about Queen Ardemisia of Hallacarnassis. She
was allied with the Persian king Xerxes during his campaign
against the Greeks around four hundred and eighty BCE, and
she played a rather significant role during the Battle of Salamis,
which is the inspiration for Bay of Blood. I hope
(01:03):
you enjoy it and stay tuned after the story for
a deeper dive into the history of Artemisia. Waves crashed
over the rocks lining the beach, spraying salt and brine
into the air. Sea foam crept up the sandy slope
(01:26):
toward a mound of gold treasures loote obtained from pirrating.
Artemisia stood beside it, close enough to feel the warmth
of the sun reflecting off the glittering metal. She scanned
the white crests for a glimpse of a vibrant purple shimmer. Finally,
Artemisia saw her a neriad silhouette behind the wall of
an enormous wave, just before it barreled over itself and
(01:48):
rumbled toward Artemisia's wet sandals. Artemisia shielded her eyes from
the flinging spray with her hand when she lowered it,
and Petriti was before her scales and tail fins did
resolved into shimmering water droplets, revealing two elegant and powerful legs.
Thick hair flowed over the goddess shoulders and down her back,
(02:08):
the coils swaying as she walked. Artemisia prostrated herself, pressing
her face close to the sand and breathing in the
rich smell amphotrite, Goddess of Ocean, You bless me with
your presence. You honor our arrangement, Amphotridi, answered coolly. She
strode forward, eyes examining the mound of lute Artemisia had
(02:29):
assembled on the beach. Rise, Dotter of Persia, tell me
of your exploits. Artemisia obeyed, a smile, tugging the corners
of her mouth at the goddess interest from two Cretan
war galleys fleeing the shores of Athens. It seems they
were hoping to slip away quietly with their allies treasure,
but they didn't make it past me. Amphotrite smirked some ally,
(02:54):
My victory is owed to you, Amphotriti, for the aid
of your nereids. I saw them in battle, pulling the
sailors into the depths, cracking the wholes of my enemies
with their spears, swirling the tides to my favor. Amphtridi
cut her eyes at Artemisia. You did me a service,
and my husband. The Athenians know now they should have
chosen Poseidon as their patron. She picked up a helmet
(03:17):
with a long horse hair plume extending down to her waist.
The goddess grimaced. The one who would wear such frivolous
accouterments is truly full of himself. Artemisia smirked, remembering the
Cretan's smug face before she launched her spear across the
gulf that separated their ships. He hadn't thought she could
reach him, didn't even try to move. The wearer fit
(03:39):
that description, Artemisia said, Emphatride laughed as she picked up
a gold chalice from the pile. Men are fools. Artemisia
let a moment more pass, allowing Inpatride to bask in
her new gifts, before she made her request. The Athenians
are in retreat. King Xerxes has called a council to
discuss our advance. Amphitride scoffed at the name, reminding Artemisia
(04:03):
that the goddess considered the Persian king foolish, obsessive, and vain.
But he kept Artemisia's ship in good order, sanctioned her piracy,
and applauded her bid for glory among men. Her prowess
had elevated her to his war council as an equal
to his generals, which was an insult to their manhood.
That gave her more satisfaction than any plunder. Xerxes had
given her much in exchange for loyalty. We've cornered them
(04:27):
in the Bay of Salamis, Artemisia grinned at the thought.
With the aid of your nereads, the last free fighters
of Athens will fall, and your vengeance will be complete,
and my name immortalized. Amphitride frowned. She dropped the helmet
back into the pile with a startling clang, and stepped
away as though suddenly repulsed by its glitter. She planted
(04:49):
her trident in the sand and squared her shoulders at Artemisia.
Our arrangement must end here. Artemisia's excitement withered as heat
flooded through her. She lowered her gaze to the goddess,
toes sparkling with grains of sand. The weight of disappointment
pressed on her shoulders. Had she overestimated and Phatride's rage
against the Athenians, she glanced at the treasure she had
(05:11):
gathered as offering for the Goddess's favor. It would have
been enough to make her the richest woman in Persia.
But she wanted more. She wanted a name that time
would remember, a name Amphotride had agreed to help her
secure in exchange for punishing the Athenians. As if reading
her thoughts, Amphetridi spoke firmly. Poseidon may not be the
favorite of Athens, but the seafaring villages around the bay
(05:35):
know which god fills their nets and keeps the waves
from washing away their meager existence. Poseidon will not allow
a Persian to defile their shores or desecrate his altars.
Her voice softened. Neither will I nor my nereids sail
against the Nereids. Remembrances of their ferocity flashed through her mind.
(05:56):
There would be no victory against them. What if I
can't dissuade circa cease? Anger and nervousness simmered beneath Artemisia's
cool facade. I am obligated to sail where he wills,
Amphtride shrugged. Then the waters of Salamis will turn red
with the blood of Persia. With that, Amphatride turned and
walked into the sea. With a shimmer of purple and
(06:18):
a flash of gold, she was gone. A wave roared
up the beach and pulled the treasure into the sea
after her. Artemisia threaded one of her tiny braids through
her fingers. As she sat in Xerxes's council chamber. One
(06:41):
by one, her fellow generals stood and boasted of their
scale against the stupidity of the Greeks, promising glory to Persia.
The Colndian king Demasathemos was next to speak. He rose
from his seat beside her and entered the center of
the circle. He pushed his helmet back on his head.
A gray horse tail plume even more ridiculous than the Cretans,
(07:02):
jutted from the top and trailed down to his calves.
Great King Xerxes, we have chased the Athenians into a
shallow bay. They have no escape. Now is the time
to crush their armada beneath our hulls and open the
beeches of Greece to your invincible might. Demasathemo's stiff beard
(07:22):
lifted off his chest as he raised his face to
the heavens, sweeping his arms upwards in a wide, dramatic arc.
Artemisia took a deep breath as Xerxes's calm gaze rested
upon her. He gestured towards her with a slender finger.
She stood for her turn and straightened her shoulders, feeling
the weight of her words before she even uttered them.
(07:44):
She would have one chance to convince him to stay
away from the Bay of Salamis, and he despised naysayers
who offered no alternative solutions. The Greeks are crafty. They
know their own waters and their own winds. I believe
they have chose in this bay, knowing we will follow
Knowing we cannot strike them with our full might in
(08:04):
such a small space. We are sailing into a trap.
We should go south and attack their cities, draw them
out to sea, where our superior numbers can surround them,
where the neriads won't take away my victory. The chamber
erupted against her words, and a Massathemo's rebuke rose above
the din. A woman knows nothing of strategy, go home
(08:26):
to your loom. Fire surged through her at the answering jeers.
The muscles along her jaw twitched as she clamped her
mouth shut foals. Xerxes raised his hand for silence, studying
each of his commanders around the room. A small smile
curved the edge of his lip. You all disagree with Artemisia.
(08:49):
The cheers against her deafened. The chamber then fell silent
as Xerxes settled back in his chair, Pondering moments passed,
disturbed only by the creak of chairs as their burdens
shifted uncomfortably. Her male companions were nervous that Xerxes might
be giving serious consideration to a woman's strategy. Her lips
twitched into a smile. Almighty Xerxes Demasathemos never knew when
(09:14):
to stay quiet. This opportunity to crush the Athenian Armada
will not come again. They have no escape, and our
fleet is superior in numbers and strength. When we destroy them,
their entire coast will be unprotected and ripe for plundering.
If we wait to strike, they will have time to
rearm to repair their battered ships. Then they will hit
(09:37):
us hard. Artemisia's strategy threatens the entire conquest. Xerxes swirled
his thumb against his index finger, a gesture viewed as
calculating to most, but Artemisia knew it to be a
sign of growing anxiety. He scanned his generals, sighed, and
turned to Demasthemos. The fleet will sail to the Bay
(09:58):
of Salamis. Demasathemos walked back to his seat and sat proudly,
flipping his plume over his shoulder. It dragged on the
ground with a swish as he cut his eyes at
her and smirked. My brand will burn out the Greeks,
and you will be remembered as a disgrace for your
ill counsel, She glared at him, the sea battle will
(10:19):
be your death. Demasthemos only laughed through the smoke and
falling ash. Artemisia surveyed the broken Persian ships and the
bodies of their crews choking the Bay of Salamis. The
(10:42):
crystal blue waves swirled red with the blood of allies
and enemies, but mostly allies. The clang of swords against
shields and whooshing arrows carried on the winds mingled with
the screams and war cries of Greeks and Persians as
the naval battle raged. Domesthemos had charged ahead with his
finest war ships, congesting the only way in or out
(11:02):
of the bay with his oversized galleys. Only four other
ships had managed to slip through alongside his. Artemisia guessed
that he had intended to claim all the glory for
defeating the Athenians. The enemy armada floated gracefully over the
wreckage of his warships, testifying to his strategic blunder. Under
the water, shimmers of green and purple glided to and fro.
(11:24):
Sharp tips of Neread lances sparkled like silver in the
sun as they punctured the surface, sailing towards unsuspecting Persian targets.
Who ventured too close to the shore out of range
to join the battle. Artemisia and her crew bobbed on
the fringes of the bay, clustered with the other Persian
generals in their ships, waiting for the chance to slide
in beside to Masathemos and desolate the enemy. Despite the
(11:47):
Neread presence, if De Masathemos would let them into the cove,
Artemisia thought they could still win or die in glory.
A small part of her wondered if the Nereads would
attack her, and Patriti indicated that she cared about the
Greek settlements, not the enemy's ships. Would the sea nymphs
let her make a name for herself if she stayed
clear of the beeches. Artemisia was itching to test the
(12:08):
theory to push the boundaries of the goddess favor do
anything but watch her opportunities sink to the ocean floor
with her dead comrades Greeks. Artimisia's lieutenant shrieked across the deck.
She followed his finger to the Aguinian sails, appearing on
the other side of the long, rocky peninsula that snaked
out of the bay. More ships appeared at least a dozen,
(12:30):
bearing down on the idle Persians, with the full force
of the wind pushing into their sails. So it was
a trap. Thrill and adrenaline surged through her, stretching her
lips into a wide grin. She would have her chance
to spill Greek blood, yet come about, She shouted, answering
roars from the crews around her echoed her command to
(12:52):
turn their ships toward the swiftly approaching new battle front.
But the wind driving the Aguinians forward crippled the scrambling Persians.
The Aguinians closed in five hundred meters four hundred two
hundred brace. Artemisia shouted, clutching the rail. The lead warship
rammed into her hull. The deck beneath her tipped as
(13:13):
the enemy prow heaved it upwards. Artemisia thought they might capsize.
By some miracle, the Greek ships succeeded only in spinning
them toward open sea. Her stomach swooped as her craft
crashed back down, sending out a massive wave. Momentum dragged
the enemy's bronze prow along her starboard side, shearing oars
as it went, pull the oars back feet pounded on
(13:36):
the wooden planks as her crew rushed to obey, their
muscles glistening with sweat as they dragged the remaining oars
to safety. The enemy's ship was completely parallel to them now.
Greek soldiers banged their swords against their shields, roaring like
wild lions as they lined up shoulder to shoulder, ready
to leap onto her deck and initiate a slaughter. Hooks
(13:56):
were thrown across, sowing the two ships together burned through
Artemisia's veins. She howled across her galley archers, regaining their balance.
Her archers lined up along the railing, pulled their bows
taut released a wave of firebrands whistled across the gap,
transforming Greek war cries into screams and catching the Auguinean
(14:18):
sails of flame. Artemisia raised her sword high push them off.
Her sailors sawed into the ropes and braced the remaining
oars against the Greek craft. Dug their sandaled heels into
the rough deck, and pushed with a loud hurrah. As
the ropes fell and the oars strained, the Aguinean vessel
(14:38):
began to move away. Enemy men leaped across the growing
divide to her ship. One jumped too late, slipped on
the ledge, and fell with a thud against the thick
oak before splashing into the sea. Artemisia grinned, her crew,
rushed forward and overwhelmed the intruders. Blood sprayed across the deck. Hurrah, Hurrah.
(14:59):
A deaf fing war chorus drew her attention over her
shoulder to an approaching craft, a Persian tridream fleeing from
the bay. The bronze prow hammered and molded into the
shape of a griffin's head, bore down at full speed.
Its hundred oars soared out on either side like wings,
launching toward its prey, plowing through the wreckage of the
Persian ships at full speed. Hurrah, Hurrah. The Aegineans, alarmed,
(15:26):
diverted their attention from Artemisia's craft, scrambling to grab on
to something as the Persian ship plowed into them. The
Greek vessel reared up, the hull cracking and crunching as
it turned on its side, tossing screaming soldiers and debris
to the violent waves. The Persians barely slowed from the
obstacle as they continued their path of retreat. Artemisia's eyes
(15:47):
narrowed on the Crimson sail, a Colindian sail at the stern.
The long horse hair plume protruding from the captain's helmet
grazed the wearer's calves. De Massathemos cowered. Her lieutenant grabbed
her shoulder, eyes wild behind us, she followed his finger
to an Athenian trireme gliding out of the bay just
(16:08):
three hundred meters away. All around her, the Greeks were
engaged in the crushing of surprised Persians. Flames scurried like
squirrels of the tall masts of her companion's ships, spreading
to the Persian sails and eliminating all trace that they
had ever existed. Was that to be her fate as well?
She thought again of the goddess Empetrite and her promise
to immortalize the memory of Artemesia. She would have done
(16:31):
it too, if not for him. Followed Demasthemos, her lieutenant
raced along the length of the deck, mustering the weary
crew to oars to oars. The pressure shifted in her
feet as the boat rocked into motion. Ripped sails whipped
against the wind, The broken oars dug into the sea,
dragging Artemisia and her crew through the bodies and splintered oak.
(16:54):
They're gaining. The Athenian warship, now just one hundred meters behind,
was close enough that she could see the soldiers lining
up to hear their chance and taunts above the waves.
Her crippled ship would never outrun them, wouldn't stay out
of reach for long, but she didn't need it to.
Just ahead, Domsathemo's triren began angling broadside to her approach
(17:14):
as it maneuvered around the rocky peninsula, slowing almost to
a stop to make the sharp turn. She glared at
the tiny man standing on the top deck with a
ridiculous plume atop his helmet. He grew larger and larger
as the distance between them closed. Her men had found
their rhythm. The cool wind breathed on her face, lifted
her wet hair off her neck. Full speed straight ahead.
(17:38):
Her lieutenant's eyes widened in alarm. Then he grinned wickedly
as her intent registered. He wrapped an arm around the mast,
thrusting his other fist triumphantly in the air full speed.
Men chaos roared across the Colindian's deck before them. Startled
soldiers abandoned their oars to grab onto anything sturdy. Some
of them waved frantically, shouting at her to turn her
(18:00):
and coarse, as though their imminent collision was somehow in error.
Demasathemos whipped around and locked eyes with her. Confusion and
then panic contorted his face. As she neared Artemisia clutched
the rail and stiffened brace. The bough plunged into the
Colndian's starboard hull, puncturing through the timbers and ripping up
(18:21):
the deck. Shards and splinters ricocheted into the air. Demasthemos
slammed against the wooden planks and lurched over the rail
to the swirling sea below. He flailed in the water,
his angry curses drowned out by the screams and dying
groans of bewildered Colindians as they fell into the sea.
Remembering the pursuing Athenians, Artemisia turned around and looked out
(18:42):
over the stern, raising her sword to guide her deadly
arrows to new targets. She locked eyes on the Greek
vessel and became confused. They had slowed their advance and
were changing course, returning to the bay. The Athenian captain
captured her gaze and raised his sword high, in like
manner to her own, but in her command to attack,
(19:02):
died on her lips. She lowered her arm, a laugh
rolling up from her tensed shoulders. They think we've joined
with them, fools. She wondered how the Athenians would remember her,
the Persian captain who sunk her own allies ship and
laughed even harder. Immortalized in infamy, but immortalized no less.
(19:22):
She looked back over the wreckage of ships and corpses.
The waters of Salamus turned red with the blood of Persia.
She doubted Xerxes would hold Demasthemo's demise against her. A
burbling from below caught her attention. She looked down Demasathemo's
wild eyes dipped below the surface, his finger nails clawing
at the wood grains of her hull and vein. As
(19:43):
he began sinking down to the dark recesses below, a
flash of purple and a glint of gold catching the
afternoon sun, swirled into the bubbles of his silent screams.
I told you this sea battle would be your death. Ah.
(20:07):
The inspiration for this story came from a friend and
I entering a writing contest where the prompt was that
it had to have been inspired by Queen Ardemisia. So
this sent me on a journey into researching who Ardemisia
was so that I could create a fictional story to
(20:30):
enter this contest. And the word counts was like a
thousand words or less. So the story that I read
you is much different and much changed from what I
entered into the contest. And suffice it to say, I
did not win the contest, but that research journey uncovered
(20:50):
so many fascinating facts about this woman who lived during
the Persian Wars. Artemisia was a queen of a place
called Halikarnassis, and she commanded her own fleet of ships.
Some sources say she had five, some sources say she
(21:12):
had more than that, but she had at least five
ships which sailed along with all of King Xerxe's generals
to the Bay of Salamis, which was this pivotal sea
battle naval battle during the Persian Wars, and a lot
(21:33):
of historians have attributed the Bay of Salamis as one
of the most decisive crucial points in history where if
the Athenians or the Greeks had not won that battle,
the world would be completely different than how it is
(21:57):
now most likely. So this was a very decisive battle
in a very important moment in history, and she sailed
with King's Erxes, or she sailed for King's Erxes. There
are quite a few historically accurate details that I depicted
(22:17):
in this along with some of my own fluff that
I added, obviously, so some of the true things that
happened is that she was the only general who advised
Serxes not to attack the bay, but to attack their
cities and drive them out of the bay so that
they could surround them. So she was the only dissenting
(22:40):
general that gave him that advice. Everyone else said, yes,
let's attack the bay. She did destroy Damasa Femo's ship
during her escape, and a pursuing Athenian vessel did stop
following her, believing that she had switched sides, and this
is according to the ancient historian Herodotus. Things that I
(23:01):
fictionalized in the story was her pact with Amphitriti. There
is no way of knowing which gods she actually worshiped.
She was allied with Persia, and she swore fealty to Persia.
But Hallakarnasis is considered a Greek city state that was
(23:22):
incorporated as a satropie. I believe it's the term into
the Persian Empire. So it's possible that she still worshiped
Greek gods and was aware of amphitrity and possibly had
asked for her protection. There's absolutely no way to know
this for sure. Though her dispute with Domesa femos and
(23:45):
that being the motivation behind her ramming his ship was
also fictionalized. There is no legitimate evidence to say that
that was the reason why she rammed into his ship.
But I like the idea of revenge and vengeance as
a motivation more than fear and desperation, and I think
it makes a better story. So I took liberties there,
(24:09):
and so there are lots of resources available about Artemisia.
She also appears in the movie three hundred The Rise
of an Empire, but I would say that her representation
in that movie is really not accurate kind of at all,
and like the Wikipedia page is more historically accurate in
(24:29):
her representation than that movie. But the movie is entertaining,
So if you want to see Ardimisia on screen, just
take her representation there with a grain of salt. But
I hope you have enjoyed this episode and my reading
of Bay of Blood, and I hope it has sparked
your curiosity about Queen Ardimisia and the war between the
(24:51):
Greeks and the Persians. I will see you Mortals next time.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of
MJ Panky Reads. Why the Muses Inspire You Always
Welcome fellow Mortals to MJ. Pankey Read's podcast. This podcast
exists for me to read aloud my books, and if
you enjoy listening to audiobooks, you can listen along for free.
So thank you so much again for your time and attention,
and I hope you enjoy the show. Today I'm reading
(00:41):
Bay of Blood, which is a short story I wrote
a few years ago about Queen Ardemisia of Hallacarnassis. She
was allied with the Persian king Xerxes during his campaign
against the Greeks around four hundred and eighty BCE, and
she played a rather significant role during the Battle of Salamis,
which is the inspiration for Bay of Blood. I hope
(01:03):
you enjoy it and stay tuned after the story for
a deeper dive into the history of Artemisia. Waves crashed
over the rocks lining the beach, spraying salt and brine
into the air. Sea foam crept up the sandy slope
(01:26):
toward a mound of gold treasures loote obtained from pirrating.
Artemisia stood beside it, close enough to feel the warmth
of the sun reflecting off the glittering metal. She scanned
the white crests for a glimpse of a vibrant purple shimmer. Finally,
Artemisia saw her a neriad silhouette behind the wall of
an enormous wave, just before it barreled over itself and
(01:48):
rumbled toward Artemisia's wet sandals. Artemisia shielded her eyes from
the flinging spray with her hand when she lowered it,
and Petriti was before her scales and tail fins did
resolved into shimmering water droplets, revealing two elegant and powerful legs.
Thick hair flowed over the goddess shoulders and down her back,
(02:08):
the coils swaying as she walked. Artemisia prostrated herself, pressing
her face close to the sand and breathing in the
rich smell amphotrite, Goddess of Ocean, You bless me with
your presence. You honor our arrangement, Amphotridi, answered coolly. She
strode forward, eyes examining the mound of lute Artemisia had
(02:29):
assembled on the beach. Rise, Dotter of Persia, tell me
of your exploits. Artemisia obeyed, a smile, tugging the corners
of her mouth at the goddess interest from two Cretan
war galleys fleeing the shores of Athens. It seems they
were hoping to slip away quietly with their allies treasure,
but they didn't make it past me. Amphotrite smirked some ally,
(02:54):
My victory is owed to you, Amphotriti, for the aid
of your nereids. I saw them in battle, pulling the
sailors into the depths, cracking the wholes of my enemies
with their spears, swirling the tides to my favor. Amphtridi
cut her eyes at Artemisia. You did me a service,
and my husband. The Athenians know now they should have
chosen Poseidon as their patron. She picked up a helmet
(03:17):
with a long horse hair plume extending down to her waist.
The goddess grimaced. The one who would wear such frivolous
accouterments is truly full of himself. Artemisia smirked, remembering the
Cretan's smug face before she launched her spear across the
gulf that separated their ships. He hadn't thought she could
reach him, didn't even try to move. The wearer fit
(03:39):
that description, Artemisia said, Emphatride laughed as she picked up
a gold chalice from the pile. Men are fools. Artemisia
let a moment more pass, allowing Inpatride to bask in
her new gifts, before she made her request. The Athenians
are in retreat. King Xerxes has called a council to
discuss our advance. Amphitride scoffed at the name, reminding Artemisia
(04:03):
that the goddess considered the Persian king foolish, obsessive, and vain.
But he kept Artemisia's ship in good order, sanctioned her piracy,
and applauded her bid for glory among men. Her prowess
had elevated her to his war council as an equal
to his generals, which was an insult to their manhood.
That gave her more satisfaction than any plunder. Xerxes had
given her much in exchange for loyalty. We've cornered them
(04:27):
in the Bay of Salamis, Artemisia grinned at the thought.
With the aid of your nereads, the last free fighters
of Athens will fall, and your vengeance will be complete,
and my name immortalized. Amphitride frowned. She dropped the helmet
back into the pile with a startling clang, and stepped
away as though suddenly repulsed by its glitter. She planted
(04:49):
her trident in the sand and squared her shoulders at Artemisia.
Our arrangement must end here. Artemisia's excitement withered as heat
flooded through her. She lowered her gaze to the goddess,
toes sparkling with grains of sand. The weight of disappointment
pressed on her shoulders. Had she overestimated and Phatride's rage
against the Athenians, she glanced at the treasure she had
(05:11):
gathered as offering for the Goddess's favor. It would have
been enough to make her the richest woman in Persia.
But she wanted more. She wanted a name that time
would remember, a name Amphotride had agreed to help her
secure in exchange for punishing the Athenians. As if reading
her thoughts, Amphetridi spoke firmly. Poseidon may not be the
favorite of Athens, but the seafaring villages around the bay
(05:35):
know which god fills their nets and keeps the waves
from washing away their meager existence. Poseidon will not allow
a Persian to defile their shores or desecrate his altars.
Her voice softened. Neither will I nor my nereids sail
against the Nereids. Remembrances of their ferocity flashed through her mind.
(05:56):
There would be no victory against them. What if I
can't dissuade circa cease? Anger and nervousness simmered beneath Artemisia's
cool facade. I am obligated to sail where he wills,
Amphtride shrugged. Then the waters of Salamis will turn red
with the blood of Persia. With that, Amphatride turned and
walked into the sea. With a shimmer of purple and
(06:18):
a flash of gold, she was gone. A wave roared
up the beach and pulled the treasure into the sea
after her. Artemisia threaded one of her tiny braids through
her fingers. As she sat in Xerxes's council chamber. One
(06:41):
by one, her fellow generals stood and boasted of their
scale against the stupidity of the Greeks, promising glory to Persia.
The Colndian king Demasathemos was next to speak. He rose
from his seat beside her and entered the center of
the circle. He pushed his helmet back on his head.
A gray horse tail plume even more ridiculous than the Cretans,
(07:02):
jutted from the top and trailed down to his calves.
Great King Xerxes, we have chased the Athenians into a
shallow bay. They have no escape. Now is the time
to crush their armada beneath our hulls and open the
beeches of Greece to your invincible might. Demasathemo's stiff beard
(07:22):
lifted off his chest as he raised his face to
the heavens, sweeping his arms upwards in a wide, dramatic arc.
Artemisia took a deep breath as Xerxes's calm gaze rested
upon her. He gestured towards her with a slender finger.
She stood for her turn and straightened her shoulders, feeling
the weight of her words before she even uttered them.
(07:44):
She would have one chance to convince him to stay
away from the Bay of Salamis, and he despised naysayers
who offered no alternative solutions. The Greeks are crafty. They
know their own waters and their own winds. I believe
they have chose in this bay, knowing we will follow
Knowing we cannot strike them with our full might in
(08:04):
such a small space. We are sailing into a trap.
We should go south and attack their cities, draw them
out to sea, where our superior numbers can surround them,
where the neriads won't take away my victory. The chamber
erupted against her words, and a Massathemo's rebuke rose above
the din. A woman knows nothing of strategy, go home
(08:26):
to your loom. Fire surged through her at the answering jeers.
The muscles along her jaw twitched as she clamped her
mouth shut foals. Xerxes raised his hand for silence, studying
each of his commanders around the room. A small smile
curved the edge of his lip. You all disagree with Artemisia.
(08:49):
The cheers against her deafened. The chamber then fell silent
as Xerxes settled back in his chair, Pondering moments passed,
disturbed only by the creak of chairs as their burdens
shifted uncomfortably. Her male companions were nervous that Xerxes might
be giving serious consideration to a woman's strategy. Her lips
twitched into a smile. Almighty Xerxes Demasathemos never knew when
(09:14):
to stay quiet. This opportunity to crush the Athenian Armada
will not come again. They have no escape, and our
fleet is superior in numbers and strength. When we destroy them,
their entire coast will be unprotected and ripe for plundering.
If we wait to strike, they will have time to
rearm to repair their battered ships. Then they will hit
(09:37):
us hard. Artemisia's strategy threatens the entire conquest. Xerxes swirled
his thumb against his index finger, a gesture viewed as
calculating to most, but Artemisia knew it to be a
sign of growing anxiety. He scanned his generals, sighed, and
turned to Demasthemos. The fleet will sail to the Bay
(09:58):
of Salamis. Demasathemos walked back to his seat and sat proudly,
flipping his plume over his shoulder. It dragged on the
ground with a swish as he cut his eyes at
her and smirked. My brand will burn out the Greeks,
and you will be remembered as a disgrace for your
ill counsel, She glared at him, the sea battle will
(10:19):
be your death. Demasthemos only laughed through the smoke and
falling ash. Artemisia surveyed the broken Persian ships and the
bodies of their crews choking the Bay of Salamis. The
(10:42):
crystal blue waves swirled red with the blood of allies
and enemies, but mostly allies. The clang of swords against
shields and whooshing arrows carried on the winds mingled with
the screams and war cries of Greeks and Persians as
the naval battle raged. Domesthemos had charged ahead with his
finest war ships, congesting the only way in or out
(11:02):
of the bay with his oversized galleys. Only four other
ships had managed to slip through alongside his. Artemisia guessed
that he had intended to claim all the glory for
defeating the Athenians. The enemy armada floated gracefully over the
wreckage of his warships, testifying to his strategic blunder. Under
the water, shimmers of green and purple glided to and fro.
(11:24):
Sharp tips of Neread lances sparkled like silver in the
sun as they punctured the surface, sailing towards unsuspecting Persian targets.
Who ventured too close to the shore out of range
to join the battle. Artemisia and her crew bobbed on
the fringes of the bay, clustered with the other Persian
generals in their ships, waiting for the chance to slide
in beside to Masathemos and desolate the enemy. Despite the
(11:47):
Neread presence, if De Masathemos would let them into the cove,
Artemisia thought they could still win or die in glory.
A small part of her wondered if the Nereads would
attack her, and Patriti indicated that she cared about the
Greek settlements, not the enemy's ships. Would the sea nymphs
let her make a name for herself if she stayed
clear of the beeches. Artemisia was itching to test the
(12:08):
theory to push the boundaries of the goddess favor do
anything but watch her opportunities sink to the ocean floor
with her dead comrades Greeks. Artimisia's lieutenant shrieked across the deck.
She followed his finger to the Aguinian sails, appearing on
the other side of the long, rocky peninsula that snaked
out of the bay. More ships appeared at least a dozen,
(12:30):
bearing down on the idle Persians, with the full force
of the wind pushing into their sails. So it was
a trap. Thrill and adrenaline surged through her, stretching her
lips into a wide grin. She would have her chance
to spill Greek blood, yet come about, She shouted, answering
roars from the crews around her echoed her command to
(12:52):
turn their ships toward the swiftly approaching new battle front.
But the wind driving the Aguinians forward crippled the scrambling Persians.
The Aguinians closed in five hundred meters four hundred two
hundred brace. Artemisia shouted, clutching the rail. The lead warship
rammed into her hull. The deck beneath her tipped as
(13:13):
the enemy prow heaved it upwards. Artemisia thought they might capsize.
By some miracle, the Greek ships succeeded only in spinning
them toward open sea. Her stomach swooped as her craft
crashed back down, sending out a massive wave. Momentum dragged
the enemy's bronze prow along her starboard side, shearing oars
as it went, pull the oars back feet pounded on
(13:36):
the wooden planks as her crew rushed to obey, their
muscles glistening with sweat as they dragged the remaining oars
to safety. The enemy's ship was completely parallel to them now.
Greek soldiers banged their swords against their shields, roaring like
wild lions as they lined up shoulder to shoulder, ready
to leap onto her deck and initiate a slaughter. Hooks
(13:56):
were thrown across, sowing the two ships together burned through
Artemisia's veins. She howled across her galley archers, regaining their balance.
Her archers lined up along the railing, pulled their bows
taut released a wave of firebrands whistled across the gap,
transforming Greek war cries into screams and catching the Auguinean
(14:18):
sails of flame. Artemisia raised her sword high push them off.
Her sailors sawed into the ropes and braced the remaining
oars against the Greek craft. Dug their sandaled heels into
the rough deck, and pushed with a loud hurrah. As
the ropes fell and the oars strained, the Aguinean vessel
(14:38):
began to move away. Enemy men leaped across the growing
divide to her ship. One jumped too late, slipped on
the ledge, and fell with a thud against the thick
oak before splashing into the sea. Artemisia grinned, her crew,
rushed forward and overwhelmed the intruders. Blood sprayed across the deck. Hurrah, Hurrah.
(14:59):
A deaf fing war chorus drew her attention over her
shoulder to an approaching craft, a Persian tridream fleeing from
the bay. The bronze prow hammered and molded into the
shape of a griffin's head, bore down at full speed.
Its hundred oars soared out on either side like wings,
launching toward its prey, plowing through the wreckage of the
Persian ships at full speed. Hurrah, Hurrah. The Aegineans, alarmed,
(15:26):
diverted their attention from Artemisia's craft, scrambling to grab on
to something as the Persian ship plowed into them. The
Greek vessel reared up, the hull cracking and crunching as
it turned on its side, tossing screaming soldiers and debris
to the violent waves. The Persians barely slowed from the
obstacle as they continued their path of retreat. Artemisia's eyes
(15:47):
narrowed on the Crimson sail, a Colindian sail at the stern.
The long horse hair plume protruding from the captain's helmet
grazed the wearer's calves. De Massathemos cowered. Her lieutenant grabbed
her shoulder, eyes wild behind us, she followed his finger
to an Athenian trireme gliding out of the bay just
(16:08):
three hundred meters away. All around her, the Greeks were
engaged in the crushing of surprised Persians. Flames scurried like
squirrels of the tall masts of her companion's ships, spreading
to the Persian sails and eliminating all trace that they
had ever existed. Was that to be her fate as well?
She thought again of the goddess Empetrite and her promise
to immortalize the memory of Artemesia. She would have done
(16:31):
it too, if not for him. Followed Demasthemos, her lieutenant
raced along the length of the deck, mustering the weary
crew to oars to oars. The pressure shifted in her
feet as the boat rocked into motion. Ripped sails whipped
against the wind, The broken oars dug into the sea,
dragging Artemisia and her crew through the bodies and splintered oak.
(16:54):
They're gaining. The Athenian warship, now just one hundred meters behind,
was close enough that she could see the soldiers lining
up to hear their chance and taunts above the waves.
Her crippled ship would never outrun them, wouldn't stay out
of reach for long, but she didn't need it to.
Just ahead, Domsathemo's triren began angling broadside to her approach
(17:14):
as it maneuvered around the rocky peninsula, slowing almost to
a stop to make the sharp turn. She glared at
the tiny man standing on the top deck with a
ridiculous plume atop his helmet. He grew larger and larger
as the distance between them closed. Her men had found
their rhythm. The cool wind breathed on her face, lifted
her wet hair off her neck. Full speed straight ahead.
(17:38):
Her lieutenant's eyes widened in alarm. Then he grinned wickedly
as her intent registered. He wrapped an arm around the mast,
thrusting his other fist triumphantly in the air full speed.
Men chaos roared across the Colindian's deck before them. Startled
soldiers abandoned their oars to grab onto anything sturdy. Some
of them waved frantically, shouting at her to turn her
(18:00):
and coarse, as though their imminent collision was somehow in error.
Demasathemos whipped around and locked eyes with her. Confusion and
then panic contorted his face. As she neared Artemisia clutched
the rail and stiffened brace. The bough plunged into the
Colndian's starboard hull, puncturing through the timbers and ripping up
(18:21):
the deck. Shards and splinters ricocheted into the air. Demasthemos
slammed against the wooden planks and lurched over the rail
to the swirling sea below. He flailed in the water,
his angry curses drowned out by the screams and dying
groans of bewildered Colindians as they fell into the sea.
Remembering the pursuing Athenians, Artemisia turned around and looked out
(18:42):
over the stern, raising her sword to guide her deadly
arrows to new targets. She locked eyes on the Greek
vessel and became confused. They had slowed their advance and
were changing course, returning to the bay. The Athenian captain
captured her gaze and raised his sword high, in like
manner to her own, but in her command to attack,
(19:02):
died on her lips. She lowered her arm, a laugh
rolling up from her tensed shoulders. They think we've joined
with them, fools. She wondered how the Athenians would remember her,
the Persian captain who sunk her own allies ship and
laughed even harder. Immortalized in infamy, but immortalized no less.
(19:22):
She looked back over the wreckage of ships and corpses.
The waters of Salamus turned red with the blood of Persia.
She doubted Xerxes would hold Demasthemo's demise against her. A
burbling from below caught her attention. She looked down Demasathemo's
wild eyes dipped below the surface, his finger nails clawing
at the wood grains of her hull and vein. As
(19:43):
he began sinking down to the dark recesses below, a
flash of purple and a glint of gold catching the
afternoon sun, swirled into the bubbles of his silent screams.
I told you this sea battle would be your death. Ah.
(20:07):
The inspiration for this story came from a friend and
I entering a writing contest where the prompt was that
it had to have been inspired by Queen Ardemisia. So
this sent me on a journey into researching who Ardemisia
was so that I could create a fictional story to
(20:30):
enter this contest. And the word counts was like a
thousand words or less. So the story that I read
you is much different and much changed from what I
entered into the contest. And suffice it to say, I
did not win the contest, but that research journey uncovered
(20:50):
so many fascinating facts about this woman who lived during
the Persian Wars. Artemisia was a queen of a place
called Halikarnassis, and she commanded her own fleet of ships.
Some sources say she had five, some sources say she
(21:12):
had more than that, but she had at least five
ships which sailed along with all of King Xerxe's generals
to the Bay of Salamis, which was this pivotal sea
battle naval battle during the Persian Wars, and a lot
(21:33):
of historians have attributed the Bay of Salamis as one
of the most decisive crucial points in history where if
the Athenians or the Greeks had not won that battle,
the world would be completely different than how it is
(21:57):
now most likely. So this was a very decisive battle
in a very important moment in history, and she sailed
with King's Erxes, or she sailed for King's Erxes. There
are quite a few historically accurate details that I depicted
(22:17):
in this along with some of my own fluff that
I added, obviously, so some of the true things that
happened is that she was the only general who advised
Serxes not to attack the bay, but to attack their
cities and drive them out of the bay so that
they could surround them. So she was the only dissenting
(22:40):
general that gave him that advice. Everyone else said, yes,
let's attack the bay. She did destroy Damasa Femo's ship
during her escape, and a pursuing Athenian vessel did stop
following her, believing that she had switched sides, and this
is according to the ancient historian Herodotus. Things that I
(23:01):
fictionalized in the story was her pact with Amphitriti. There
is no way of knowing which gods she actually worshiped.
She was allied with Persia, and she swore fealty to Persia.
But Hallakarnasis is considered a Greek city state that was
(23:22):
incorporated as a satropie. I believe it's the term into
the Persian Empire. So it's possible that she still worshiped
Greek gods and was aware of amphitrity and possibly had
asked for her protection. There's absolutely no way to know
this for sure. Though her dispute with Domesa femos and
(23:45):
that being the motivation behind her ramming his ship was
also fictionalized. There is no legitimate evidence to say that
that was the reason why she rammed into his ship.
But I like the idea of revenge and vengeance as
a motivation more than fear and desperation, and I think
it makes a better story. So I took liberties there,
(24:09):
and so there are lots of resources available about Artemisia.
She also appears in the movie three hundred The Rise
of an Empire, but I would say that her representation
in that movie is really not accurate kind of at all,
and like the Wikipedia page is more historically accurate in
(24:29):
her representation than that movie. But the movie is entertaining,
So if you want to see Ardimisia on screen, just
take her representation there with a grain of salt. But
I hope you have enjoyed this episode and my reading
of Bay of Blood, and I hope it has sparked
your curiosity about Queen Ardimisia and the war between the
(24:51):
Greeks and the Persians. I will see you Mortals next time.
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of
MJ Panky Reads. Why the Muses Inspire You Always
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