Since the dawn of man, conflict has been common in the world over. While the past centuries have occasioned violent conflicts, there is no conflict that matches the legendary status of the battle of Marathon. The conflict, which took place in the year 490 BC, offered a benchmark for modern conflicts and Greek civilization.
It all started with the ambition of a Persian ruler named King Darius I. His intention was to annex Greece and bring it under the control of Persia. Little did he know that the Greeks had a disciplined army that often relied on an impenetrable formation. The invading force was under the command of Datis and Artaphernes, all battling against the citizens of Athens and their allies.
The primary motivation for the invasion was the need for a response by the Persians to the Ionian revolt. During this revolt, the Greek states of Athens and Eretria had combined forces to help drive the Persians out of Ionia. Though successful in capturing Sardis, the allied Greek forces had to retreat as they were taking heavy casualties. The eventual result was a complete crushing of the Ionian revolt by the Persians. Maddened by the attempt by the Greeks, King Darius I swore to retaliate by burning Athens and Eretria to the ground.
During the Marathon battle, the two largest city states in Greece were Athens and Sparta. In 490 BC, King Darius I ordered his two naval commanders, Datis and Artaphernes, to lead a force across the Aegean Sea into Greece. Upon landing, their first task was to take over Cyclades.
Thereafter, the area would be used as a sort of barrack and launching pad for attacks against Eretria and Athens. The force first attacked Eretria after conquering Euboea midsummer. After laying siege to the city, the army left for Attica, with Marathon firmly in its sight.
With the Persians drawing closer, the Athenians prevailed upon Plataea to provide reinforcement. With this combined force, they set out for Marathon. Once in the city, they formed blockades on the two exits surrounding it.
Before their march, they had dispatched a message to the Spartans asking for support. However, their request was denied as the Spartans were concurrently celebrating a religious festival. According to the renowned historian Herodotus, the person dispatching the message from Athens ran more than 140 miles to Sparta, arriving the day after. His feat achieved legendary status, with the inspiration for the modern race credited to him.
The Athenians made a smart move by choosing a mountainous and marshy area for the main conflict. This inherently meant the invading Persian army could not link up with its Calvary. By reinforcing its flanks, the Athenian army was able to draw the enemy to its center.
The resulting envelope resulted in the complete wipe out of the Persians. Sensing defeat, the remainder of the invaders ran towards their ships. The greatest lesson of the story is that the Athenians were able to crush their opponents without the help of the revered Spartans.
It all started with the ambition of a Persian ruler named King Darius I. His intention was to annex Greece and bring it under the control of Persia. Little did he know that the Greeks had a disciplined army that often relied on an impenetrable formation. The invading force was under the command of Datis and Artaphernes, all battling against the citizens of Athens and their allies.
The primary motivation for the invasion was the need for a response by the Persians to the Ionian revolt. During this revolt, the Greek states of Athens and Eretria had combined forces to help drive the Persians out of Ionia. Though successful in capturing Sardis, the allied Greek forces had to retreat as they were taking heavy casualties. The eventual result was a complete crushing of the Ionian revolt by the Persians. Maddened by the attempt by the Greeks, King Darius I swore to retaliate by burning Athens and Eretria to the ground.
During the Marathon battle, the two largest city states in Greece were Athens and Sparta. In 490 BC, King Darius I ordered his two naval commanders, Datis and Artaphernes, to lead a force across the Aegean Sea into Greece. Upon landing, their first task was to take over Cyclades.
Thereafter, the area would be used as a sort of barrack and launching pad for attacks against Eretria and Athens. The force first attacked Eretria after conquering Euboea midsummer. After laying siege to the city, the army left for Attica, with Marathon firmly in its sight.
With the Persians drawing closer, the Athenians prevailed upon Plataea to provide reinforcement. With this combined force, they set out for Marathon. Once in the city, they formed blockades on the two exits surrounding it.
Before their march, they had dispatched a message to the Spartans asking for support. However, their request was denied as the Spartans were concurrently celebrating a religious festival. According to the renowned historian Herodotus, the person dispatching the message from Athens ran more than 140 miles to Sparta, arriving the day after. His feat achieved legendary status, with the inspiration for the modern race credited to him.
The Athenians made a smart move by choosing a mountainous and marshy area for the main conflict. This inherently meant the invading Persian army could not link up with its Calvary. By reinforcing its flanks, the Athenian army was able to draw the enemy to its center.
The resulting envelope resulted in the complete wipe out of the Persians. Sensing defeat, the remainder of the invaders ran towards their ships. The greatest lesson of the story is that the Athenians were able to crush their opponents without the help of the revered Spartans.
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The Battle of Marathon was an epic war that took place in ancient Persia. To read more, visit this informative website at http://ancientgreecepersia.com/greek-persian-wars.html.