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What was more important at the Battle of Salamis; the ruse the Greeks employed to lure the Persians into the bay or the fact that Greek ships were lighter and more maneuverable?I think the ruse to get the Persians into the bay was decisive because it was only then when the Greeks could engage on more even terms that their maneuverability could be used to its best effect.
Herodotus did say Themistocles lured them by tellign them the Greeks abandoned their post, but I don't think that is completely accurate. (Aeschylus makes no mention of this). The Persian army was already heading for Corinth and the supply ships needed the port at Phaleron and did not like that the Greek ships were stationed so close. IMO, it was the position of the Greek ships that won the battle. They basically ambushed the Persians by attacking them on their flank. And yes I do agree the better maneuverability of the Greek ships played a major role.
