When it comes to the battle of Marathon, many comes to mind the legend of the messenger, who, bearing in Athens glad tidings of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians, and ran 42.195 km, informing their fellow citizens the news, fell dead.In this regard, in ancient times there was a sports discipline - the race of 42 km, the so-called marathon extant because of the Olympics.However, the very battle of Marathon is known that in this battle the Athenian army managed to defeat their superior numbers of the army of the Persians, and the Greeks the loss amounted to 192 against 6,400 dead by the enemy.
sources
the Battle of Marathon in the VI illuminated book, "History" of Herodotus.This is the main source telling of the events, has come down to our time.The information contained ancient Greek historian, is often criticized because of its approach to the writing of his works is the principle to transfer everything he told the people, and whether to believe all this or not - is another matter.
Many stories Herodotus probably can be attributed to the legends and novels.In addition, he served as the source of various official records and eyewitness accounts.Nevertheless, the data historian today confirmed all sorts of studies.According to Herodotus, the date of the Battle of Marathon - 12 September 490 BC.e.
Background
In the VI century BC took place the active development of the Persian Empire, constantly to take over new territory.In the end, in the west of the Achaemenid empire was faced with a highly developed Greek civilization whose people was very freedom-loving.Although the Persian invaders managed to subdue a lot Hellenic cities along the west coast of Asia Minor, the Greeks continued to resist, and in 500 BC.e.on these lands broke open rebellion, which began in Miletus.The Battle of Marathon was the vivid episode of this confrontation.
However, the early years of the uprising have not brought the Greeks who lived in Asia Minor, the big successes in the fight against the invaders.Although Eretria and Athens had military support to the inhabitants of Miletus, the Greeks were unable to unite all their forces and to the Persians proper rebuff.Therefore, in 496 BC.e.Achaemenid empire suppress the rebellion, while declaring war on all Hellas.
a new war
in 492 BC.e.organized the first campaign against the Greeks, but the fleet, ferrying troops across the sea, is almost completely destroyed by the storm raged.The military operation was aborted, and the next year the Persian King Darius decided to act differently - he sent ambassadors to Greece, which on behalf of the Greeks demanded obedience.Some cities prefer to agree to the demands of Darius, but not all.Residents of Athens and Sparta are simply dealt with the Persian ambassadors.
in 490 BC.e.Persians are taking a new campaign to Greece, and this time he begins more successfully.Their fleet safely cross the Aegean Sea, and the army landed on the north-east Attica - just near the small town of Marathon.In these places, and there was the Battle of Marathon, which has become famous throughout the world.
Preparations for battle
Persian army consisted equally of foot archers and cavalry, the total number - twenty thousand men.Marathon plain remarkably suited to their tactics of warfare.Athenian army was almost twice less, but far superior to the Persians outfit lightly.It consisted of hoplites, clad in armor, hip, copper helmets and armed with shields, and large long javelins.But the battle of Marathon was won by the Greeks not only because of their good equipment.An important role was also played by the strategy.
Miltiades, who was one of the ten commanders traditionally supervised the Greek army, was familiar with the tactics of fighting the Persians.He suggested that an effective plan, but opinions were divided strategists.Some of them insisted that the troops returned to Athens to defend the city, while others wanted to meet the enemy here in the valley.Eventually Miltiades failed to persuade the majority to their side.He said that if the battle of Marathon to be won, it will save from the destruction of the other Greek cities.
outcome of the battle
Persians hoped that their archers would overwhelm the enemy hail of arrows and cavalry can bypass the Greeks from the flanks and bring confusion in their ranks.But Miltiades envisaged the possibility of using this tactic, and the Persians retaliated.But the reception of "quick march", used by the Athenian army, became a surprise conquerors.Approaching the Persians in the distance, shooting archers, the Greeks broke into a run, thus minimizing the damage from enemy arrows.Hellenic heavily armed hoplites very effectively able to withstand both archers, and cavalry of the Persians.The result of the battle was the disorderly retreat of the invaders, and the battlefield was lost a significant part of the Persian army.
In fact, for it is a lost battle of Persia did not have any fatal consequences, because Power Achaemenid was at the peak of power and has huge resources.Year of the Battle of Marathon was the beginning of a long period of struggle for freedom of the Greeks.
