Born to King Lygdamis of Halicarnassus and to an unknown Cretan mother, Artemisia ascended the throne of Halicarnassus upon her husband's death. While she ascended the throne only as regent for her son Pisindelis, Artemisia became known as a perspicacious admiral of the Persian navy who practiced a spirit of adventure and acquired an appetite for war. Herodotus writes admiringly: “...Her courageous spirit and manly daring sent her to war, when no need required her to venture. Her name, as I said, was Artemisia. “During the Greco-Persian Wars, Artemisia allied herself with the Persian king Xerxes, as one of his naval commanders. Every ancient tale of Artemisia describes her as a courageous, intelligent woman who was a valuable asset. After the Battle of Artemisium, the Greeks fled to the island of Salamis. This created problems for the Persians. Since the Greeks were so close, their port was limited, which meant they could not supply their army heading to the Isthmus of Corinth. Xerxes calls his naval commanders and asks for guidance on whether to go into battle at sea to drive the Greeks away from the island of Salamis. Everyone was in favor of the naval battle except Artemisia. He advised Xerxes to spare his ships and not go into battle at sea. He has already conquered Athens, which was his goal. He advised him to hold back his fleets because if he went into naval battle the outcome would not be in his favor. Those who knew Artemisia thought that her advice would agitate Xerxes and those who envied her for the honor she was shown over other commanders were excited thinking that Xerxes would have her killed. Xerxes did neither, he followed her advice with pleasure and admired her even more. Xerxes thought his absence at the Battle of Artemisium was the reason the Persians fought so horribly. He then ordered the naval battle to take place and made arrangements for himself. He asked if he could stay with three hundred thousand soldiers to invade the Peloponnese and regain their valor while Xerxes returned home to safety. Xerxes took Mardonius's offer into consideration and consulted the worthy Artemisia on the matter. According to Herodotus, Artemisia responded with: "It is difficult, O king, to answer your request for advice by saying what is best, but in the present situation I think it is better that you turn back and that Mardonius, if he therefore wishes and promises to do as he says, to be left here with those he desires. Because if he subdues everything he offers to subdue and prospers in his plan, the undertaking, Sire, is yours since it will be your servants who will carry it out to Mardonius' expectations, it is no great misfortune as long as you and all your family are safe; for while you and your family members will be safe, many times the Greeks will have to fight for their lives, if it happens to him a misfortune, it would not matter much, nor would the eventual victory of the Greeks be a real victory when they have just killed your servant. As for you, you will return home after the burning of Athens, which was the main purpose of your expedition. Xerxes was delighted with her advice, thanked Artemisia and asked her to take his children to Ephesus