Battle of Marathon took place in the east coast of Attica in 490 BC. A huge Persian infantry outnumbered the Greek military forces. The Greeks won in the battle using the strategy 'Double Pincer Formation'.
The right image shows where the battle of Marathon took place when the Persians arrived at the beach in Greece.
Ionic Revolt started when Greek military rebelled against the Persian rule from 499 BC to 493 BC.
The term 'Marathon' derived from the Athenian soldiers' run of about 26 miles from Athens to Marathon. The marathon was also the run of a messenger from Marathon to Athens to deliver message of the Greek victory over the Persians.
The Persian forces outnumbered the Greek( Athenian and Plateans) forces tremendously. Sparta forces was not much involved since they were holding a religious festival during this time.
Miltiades, the Greek Genius of Marathon, came up with rotated command and led the battle at Marathon.
The Greeks used a strategy called 'Double Pincer Formation' and great discipline under Miltiades to surround the Persians on all sides and distract them. As a result, the Persian casualties exceeded the Greek casualties.
After the Persians were defeated, they ran back to Athens with a plan to destroy Athens. The Greeks also ran to Athens on a marathon, reaching Athens right before the Persian ships arrived. Thus, Greek won the Marathon and the Persian ships retreated.
The funerals were held for the Athenians and Plateans who gave up their lives for Greek victory in the battle of Marathon.
The ionic column below was built in memory of the Greek victory at Marathon.
Louvre Museum's object:
The sculpture in the Louvre Museum depicted a soldier announcing victory to Athens after the Greek’s victory over the Persians at Marathon. A soldier ran about 25 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the news. After delivering his message, he slowly collapsed and passed away due to exhaustion. In the final burst of pride, his sculpture was depicted as him raising his chest and holding up the victory message.
I found this sculpture to be very interesting as the soldier’s facial expression could tell us that he was very exhausted after a marathon run to announce the news to his people. I like how his face was up to the sky as he collapsed to the ground when he reached Athens. I could see his happiness for his people’s victory and his excitement to share the victory news with other Athenians.
Reflection:
My favorite part about Marathon was the 'Double Pincer Formation' that the Greeks used to surround the Persians. I think that they were very smart in using such a strategy to distract the Persians and handle a huge Persian infantry. I also think it was interesting to know that the name 'Marathon' came from the soldiers' run from Athens to Marathon and vice versa. It was amazing how the Marathon is still celebrated today as a running sport that the soldiers initiated in Greece. I also found it fascinating that Athens was the civic center and also a target for Persians. Most of the sites that we have learned demonstrated many events in Athens and its history. It would also be great to have a running experience on the Marathon that the soldiers once had!
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