Port of Piraeus Zea and Munichia. In 493 BC, Themistocles initiated the fortifications of Piraeus and later advised the Athenians to take advantage of its natural harbours' strategic potential. In 483 BC, the Athenian fleet left the older harbour of Phaleron and it was transferred to Piraeus, distinguishing itself at the battle of Salamis between the Greek city-states and the Persians in 480 BC. In the following years Themistocles initiated the construction of the port and created the ship sheds ("neosoikoi"), while the Themistoclean Walls were completed in 471 BC, turning Piraeus into a great military and commercial harbour, which served as the
Piraeus derby Piraeus derby The Piraeus derby, is an association football rivalry between Ethnikos Piraeus and Olympiacos, the 2 teams representing the city of Piraeus. Once a major derby, since Olympiakos' dominance the derby has lost importance over the years, however the rivalry still exists as the poaching of players and the ownership of the stadium still remain a point of contention. Although the importance of the derby has declined in football, the rivalry is still very much alive in other sports, especially water polo. Since the two clubs were established in the mid-1920s, Ethnikos' traditional local rival has been Olympiacos CFP,