Marathon battle, we can say that it is one of the most fascinating and crucial stories of ancient Greek history. Courage, the desire for freedom and strategic ingenuity were the fundamental ingredients that marked a very important moment for Greek civilization and for the entire Western world. Marathon is a perfect place for a holiday in Greece where culture prevails over lazy days on the beach where you can with your imagination go back to that epic period of heroism and almost impossible feats.

The conditions of the Battle of Marathon

The legendary Battle of Marathon in 490 BC was an epic clash between Greece, in particular Athens, against the Persian Empire which at that time represented the largest and most authoritative power in the world. The tension between the two factions grew gradually over the years, fueled above all by the continuous incursions and attempts by the Persians who wanted to increase their dominion in the Aegean and subjugate the city states. The reason that will trigger the war will be the rebellion of the Greek cities of Asia Minor that with the support of Athens opposed the usurpers thus giving the excuse to the Persians to declare war on the Greeks.

The sides and the protagonists of the battle

For Greece, the proud Athenian army with its hoplites the heavy infantry with a contingent from Plataea a city loyal to Athens. Most of the troops from Plataea were actually not professional soldiers but simple farmers, artisans and inhabitants who answered the call to defend their freedom. Among the heroes and generals stands out Miltiades, a skilled Athenian commander and leader who found a brilliant idea of ​​revolutionary tactics that allowed him to successfully face the Persian forces.

On the other side the army of Darius I the ferocious and insatiable Persian King of decidedly superior numbers to the Greeks, led by Artaphernes and Datis two generals loyal to the king. The soldiers were all trained and experienced, including archers, cavalry and a wide variety of militia.

The strategy of the battle

The cunning Miltiades, aware of the fact that the Persian army was numerically superior to the Greeks, studied a particular tactic to achieve victory. The central deployment of the Athenian army was weak and certainly would not have withstood the shock of the heavy Persian infantry, so he decided to reinforce the flanks and leave the center as it was. When the Persians attacked, the Greek soldiers took a step back thus attracting the enemies towards the heart of the lines thus allowing the others to surround the Persians squeezing them in a vice that worked because it took them by surprise inflicting heavy losses and pushed the survivors to flee towards the ships.

The myth of the hero of Marathon

One of the main myths of the Battle of Marona is Philippides or Pheidippides, a Greek soldier who ran 42 kilometers from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians. Upon his arrival after proclaiming the victory, he fell to the ground exhausted. From this episode, one of the symbolic events of the Olympics and sports competitions was born, the famous 42.195 km endurance race that takes its name from the legendary plain of Marathon.

The consequences of Marathon battle

The victory of the Battle of Marathon had a great influence on all of Greece both culturally and politically. Athens gained trust and importance, thus becoming the guide for all the Greek cities and started the Delian League, an alliance between city-states aimed at protecting the entire state from the threats of the Persians who, despite everything, insisted on taking over. This coalition managed to maintain the independence of all of Greece for decades.

From a cultural point of view, however, it acquired the meaning of resistance against despots in defense of freedom. The victory of the Battle of Marathon was celebrated throughout Greece as an act of strength of democracy and this ideal profoundly influenced literary and sculptural art and culture itself.

What the Battle of Marathon meant for Greece and the world

The Battle of Marathon cannot be considered only a great military victory, in reality it is an event that marked an important change for Greek history and civilization. With this feat, Athens made known the values ​​of democracy and individual freedom. This thought influenced philosophy and politics so much that it became the basis of the values ​​on which the modern world is still founded.

The strong importance of this conflict is still well-rooted today and nowadays if you go to visit Marathon, you can breathe in history and run with your imagination imagining the brave Greek soldiers who faced a powerful empire with the sole purpose of remaining free. On the hill of Marathon the fallen were buried and it is considered a sacred place, commemorative and not only, it is a tribute to the warriors who lost their lives defending their homeland changing the course of history.

Without any doubt a unique destination that represents the roots of Greek history, a place where important deeds for the world were accomplished. Do not miss the opportunity to visit it if you are nearby, it will be a visceral experience!