The Battle of Marathon
Herodotus (484 BC - 425 BC)
Known as the 'Father of History,' Herodotus was the world's first historian (1). Not much is known about Herodotus. Modern historians believe he may have been a Hoplite in the Greek army due to his precise descriptions of battles.
Herodotus recorded many battles during the Persian War using personal observations and eyewitness accounts from Hoplite soldiers and Greek generals. One such battle was the Battle of Marathon.
Herodotus recorded many battles during the Persian War using personal observations and eyewitness accounts from Hoplite soldiers and Greek generals. One such battle was the Battle of Marathon.
Miltiades' Battle Strategy
The Athenian troops were out numbered during the battle of Marathon, having a mere 10,000 Hoplites compared to the Persian army of approximately 20,000 (2). However, after urging from one of the Greek generals, Miltiades, the Hoplites fought along side of their brothers in arms for their homes, their families and their freedom.
In an innovated military strategy, Miltiades ordered the Hoplites into lines only four men deep at the center, rather than eight. Due to this thinning of the ranks at the center of the line, the Hoplite troops expanded across the entire length of the battle field with lines of eight Hoplites at either end of the line (3).
Miltiades faced another obstacle during the battle of Marathon: Persian archers. Capable of bringing down an enemy at up to 300 yards, the Hoplites would have the length of approximately two and half football fields before reaching the Persian ranks.
Hoplite infantry troops were dressed in heavy armor and helmets that offered limited visibility. They were armed with spears, swords and shields. Due to the weight of the Hoplite kit and armor, estimated to be about 70 pounds, the soldiers typically moved forward at a sedate pace.
In an innovated military strategy, Miltiades ordered the Hoplites into lines only four men deep at the center, rather than eight. Due to this thinning of the ranks at the center of the line, the Hoplite troops expanded across the entire length of the battle field with lines of eight Hoplites at either end of the line (3).
Miltiades faced another obstacle during the battle of Marathon: Persian archers. Capable of bringing down an enemy at up to 300 yards, the Hoplites would have the length of approximately two and half football fields before reaching the Persian ranks.
Hoplite infantry troops were dressed in heavy armor and helmets that offered limited visibility. They were armed with spears, swords and shields. Due to the weight of the Hoplite kit and armor, estimated to be about 70 pounds, the soldiers typically moved forward at a sedate pace.
Determination and Endurance
During the Battle of Marathon, the Hoplite ranks advanced toward the Persian army at a steady pace until Persian archers began firing. Then, despite the heavy armor weighing them down, the Hoplites broke into a run as they advanced on the enemy troops. This move, possible only through the enormous strength and endurance of the Hoplite army, surprised the Persians. However, the Persian army fought back and soon began pushing the weakened center line of the Hoplites back.
Miltiades risky battle strategy paid off as the Hoplite flanks, eight strong, closed around the Persian ranks surrounding the enemy troops, effectively disabling the Persian archers who were forced to rain down arrows onto their own soldiers. Thousands of Persian soldiers died and the remaining ranks broke. The Persian soldiers rushed back to the safety of the 600 waiting ships.
The Hoplites watched as the Persians retreated on their ships, exhausted from their victory in battle. However, the Greeks feared that the battle was not over (4). Fearing the Persian ships were sailing toward the mostly unprotected city of Athens, Miltiades and his Hoplites immediately marched toward their home.
A single Hoplite, Pheidippides, was sent ahead of the rest of the army to inform the city of the Athenian victory at Marathon. He ran approximately 22 miles in full kit and armor to alert Athens of the impending arrival of the Persian fleet.
As the story goes, Pheidippides spread the news of the Athenian victory before collapsing dead from exhaustion.
Miltiades risky battle strategy paid off as the Hoplite flanks, eight strong, closed around the Persian ranks surrounding the enemy troops, effectively disabling the Persian archers who were forced to rain down arrows onto their own soldiers. Thousands of Persian soldiers died and the remaining ranks broke. The Persian soldiers rushed back to the safety of the 600 waiting ships.
The Hoplites watched as the Persians retreated on their ships, exhausted from their victory in battle. However, the Greeks feared that the battle was not over (4). Fearing the Persian ships were sailing toward the mostly unprotected city of Athens, Miltiades and his Hoplites immediately marched toward their home.
A single Hoplite, Pheidippides, was sent ahead of the rest of the army to inform the city of the Athenian victory at Marathon. He ran approximately 22 miles in full kit and armor to alert Athens of the impending arrival of the Persian fleet.
As the story goes, Pheidippides spread the news of the Athenian victory before collapsing dead from exhaustion.
Aftermath
Through the determination to protect their home, Miltiades and the Hoplite army arrived in Athens before the Persian fleet. Upon spotting the army waiting for them, Persian generals acknowledged defeat and retreated back to Persia.
After the conclusion of the Battle at Marathon, the Spartan army finally arrived in response to the Athenian request for aid. Fortunately for all of Greece, the Athenians were able to fight off the Persian invaders without the help of the Spartans.
After the conclusion of the Battle at Marathon, the Spartan army finally arrived in response to the Athenian request for aid. Fortunately for all of Greece, the Athenians were able to fight off the Persian invaders without the help of the Spartans.
Modern Marathon
The distance of the modern marathon is 26 and a quarter miles. In 2004, Athens hosted the summer Olympic Games (5). Competitors began the marathon event near where it is estimated the Battle of Marathon occurred and ran all the way to the Panathenaic Stadium.
Sources
1. http://www.ancient.eu/herodotus/
2. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/marathon.htm
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiOwZ6XWyDQ
4. http://www.thenagain.info/Classes/Sources/Herodotus-Marathon.html
5. http://www.olympic.org/athens-2004-summer-olympics
2. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/marathon.htm
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiOwZ6XWyDQ
4. http://www.thenagain.info/Classes/Sources/Herodotus-Marathon.html
5. http://www.olympic.org/athens-2004-summer-olympics