2. The Athenian fleet was conducting an evacuation of Athens, when the Athenian Commander, Themistocles, interpreted the Oracle as saying that they should build a wooden wall to save them. Themistocles believed the wooden wall as a line of ships, so he decided to defend Athens on the sea.
3. Interestingly, you mentioned the Spartans. The Spartans wanted to go back to Peloponnese and defend Greece on the ground, which would have failed. If they had listened to the Spartan Generals, Greece would have been snuffed out in its infancy.
I know, but some Athenians, to their misfortune, did NOT evacute Athens. Those who did, chose to make an accomodation with their right to remain there in order to win.
I also know about the Spartan plans to fortify the Isthmus of Corinth. But Themistocles, the man who engineered the victory,was wise enough to argue for a nominal Spartan Admiral to command the allied Greek fllet even though Spartan knowledge of naval warfare was limited. He did this to assure their cooperation.
Did you know what happened to Themistocles after the Persian War?
He was ostracized and exiled by Athens and wound up a suppliant at the Court of the “Evil” Persian King, who
made him one of his courtiers and supported him for life.