The Battle of Marathon was fought in 490 BC, between the Athenian army and the Persian army. It is considered one of the most important battles in ancient history and a turning point in the struggle between Greece and Persia. The battle was fought on the plain of Marathon, which is about 26 miles northeast of Athens, and it lasted only one day.
Background
In the years leading up to the Battle of Marathon, the Persian Empire had been expanding its territories and subjugating many city-states in the Aegean. The Persian king, Darius I, decided to punish Athens for supporting the Ionian Revolt, a rebellion by Greek city-states in Asia Minor against Persian rule. Darius sent an expeditionary force across the Aegean Sea, led by his general, Datis, to attack Athens and subjugate the Greek city-states.
The Athenians, led by their general Miltiades, knew that they were outnumbered and outmatched by the Persian army, which was composed of experienced soldiers from many different parts of the empire. Nevertheless, they decided to fight and defend their homeland. They sent a messenger named Pheidippides to Sparta, about 140 miles away, to ask for help. However, the Spartans were celebrating a religious festival and could not send troops until it was over.
The Battle
The Athenians decided to attack the Persians while they were still in their camp and before they could organize their forces. Miltiades devised a plan to attack the Persian center, which was weaker than the flanks. He ordered his hoplites to form a phalanx, a tight formation of overlapping shields and spears, and to run towards the Persian lines. The Persians were taken by surprise and could not react quickly enough. The Athenians broke through their center and pushed them back towards the sea.
The Persian wings, however, managed to outflank the Athenian wings, which were weaker and could not withstand their attack. The Athenians then retreated towards their camp, hoping to regroup and fight again. However, the Persians did not pursue them and stayed in their camp.
The Aftermath
The Athenians won the Battle of Marathon, but the victory was not decisive. They lost about 200 men, while the Persians lost about 6,400. The Athenians immediately sent a messenger to Athens, who ran the 26 miles from Marathon to Athens without stopping, to announce the victory. He collapsed and died from exhaustion after delivering the news.
The Persians sailed away from Marathon and headed towards Athens, hoping to attack it while it was still unprotected. However, the Athenians had returned to Athens before the Persians arrived and had fortified their city. The Persians sailed around Attica, but they found no easy way to attack Athens. Eventually, they sailed back to Asia Minor, where they were defeated by the Greeks in the Battle of Salamis ten years later.
The Battle of Marathon was a significant victory for the Athenians and for Greece. It showed that a small and determined army could defeat a larger and better-equipped enemy. It also boosted the morale of the Greeks and inspired them to fight against the Persians in the years to come. Finally, it marked the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars, a series of conflicts between the Greeks and the Persians that lasted for almost half a century. The Battle of Marathon was a precursor to the battles of Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea, which were fought between the Greeks and the Persians in the years to come.
The Battle of Marathon also had a significant impact on the Athenians. It elevated the status of the city-state and its military prowess. The Athenians erected a monument to commemorate the victory and buried the dead on the battlefield, which became a sacred site. They also adopted the use of the hoplite phalanx, which became the standard formation of the Greek armies.
The Battle of Marathon is also famous for the legend of Pheidippides, the messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory. According to the legend, he ran the entire distance without stopping, delivered the news, and then died from exhaustion. This legend inspired the modern marathon race, which is 26.2 miles long and is run in honor of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon.
In conclusion, the Battle of Marathon was a crucial event in ancient Greek history. It demonstrated the bravery and determination of the Athenian army and marked the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars. It also had a significant impact on the Athenians, who became more confident and proud of their military traditions. Finally, it inspired the modern marathon race, which is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Battle of Marathon and its heroes.
