🇬🇷The Army That Ran a Marathon

The sources before us deal with the Battle of Marathon, which took place in 490 BC, a seminal event in which the Athenian army, under the command of Miltiades, succeeded in defeating the invading forces of the Persian Empire. The texts describe the brilliant military tactics that included reinforcing the phalanx wings to encircle the enemy, thus ensuring a Greek victory despite a significant numerical disadvantage. Beyond the military aspect, the sources emphasize that this achievement saved Athenian democracy from destruction and laid the foundations for the entire Western culture. In addition, we examine the connection between the historical events and the myth of the runner who heralded the victory, which inspired the modern marathon race. Finally, the sources review the archaeological sites and artifacts in the Marathon Museum that preserve the memory of the warriors and the historical heritage of the region.