Battle of Mycale
The Battle of Mycale was one of the two major battles that ended the Persian Invasion of Greece. This battle resulted in the destruction of the Persian forces in Ionia, as well as their Mediterranean Fleet. The Battle of Plataea was on the same day as well, resulting in the Persian forces being forced to retreat out of Ionia and Greece and back to their mainland, resulting in the end of Persian rule in Greece. With the Persians defeated, the Spartans returned to the mainland. The Ionian cities were now in league with Athens however, forming what could only be considered an Athenian Empire. Previously beholden to Sparta, Athens started exerting an increasing amount of independence, eventually resulting in the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.