These skeletal remains are those of Greek warriors who participated in the 480 BCE Battle of Himera, located near today’s Palermo in Sicily.

These skeletal remains are those of Greek warriors who participated in the 480 BCE Battle of Himera, located near today’s Palermo in Sicily.

On that same day, Greek troops were also engaged in a decisive battle at Salamis, defeating the Persians—1,344 km (835 miles) distant. This unique historical overlap signified a crucial moment as Greek armies concurrently vanquished two of the ancient world’s most formidable empires, protecting their cultural heritage and independence.

The remains at Himera serve as a testament to the tremendous sacrifice and resolve that maintained Greek civilization against formidable adversaries.