Themistocles encouraged the building of a large fleet that proved crucial in Athens' victory over the Persians at the naval Battle of Salamis.
Citation:
Bouchard, Elsa. "Themistocles' naval policy at Athens".
The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 March 2010
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=11189, accessed 20 May 2013.]