The fleet was effectively under the command of Themistocles, but nominally led by the Spartan nobleman Eurybiades, as had been agreed at the congress in 481 BC.
Flåden var i praksis under kommando af Themistokles, men blev formelt ledet af den spartanske adelsmand Eurybiades, som det var blevet besluttet på kongressen i 481 f.Kr.