Download Marathon - buaron-history

History: 8.4
Marathon
 place (26 miles from Athens)
 battle (Athens & Persia)
 a long race (26 miles, 375 yards)
In Greece: 1896 Olympics – ran marathon…26 miles
In Great Britain: 1900 Olympics – marathon stopped short of Queens viewing place so they
added 375 yards so he could view finish)
Battle of Marathon
493 BC
30,000 Persians (want Greek land for Persian King)
11,000 Greek Athenians
Dorius was Persian King, angered by Athens fighting off Persians in Asia Minor
 Servant reminded him daily to remember the Athenians
491 BC
Persia sent envoys to Athens/Sparta for gifts to Persia
Greeks threw envoys off cliff
Persians decided to attack and land on beach in Marathon
While Persians unloaded ships on the beach, Greeks were waiting in mountains
 Spartans were not there as they were celebrating religious festival
Greeks fought in Phalanx formation – Haplites with shields, shoulder to shoulder – neighbors
fighting for independence
Persians didn’t speak same language
supply problem (running low)
 Persians sailed at night to Athens under cover of darkness – city was unprotected
with Athenians at beach in Marathon
Turn Over
History: 8.4
Athenians changed fighting
 full helmet (only eye slits), 3 foot shield
 advanced on Persians at strong walk…when Persians fired arrows, Greeks ran at
them until they met and fought
 Greeks wrapped Persians into center of them and closed in
 Persians (surviving) fled to ships
 Greeks quickly turned to Athens and set traps to wait for Darius who was sailing
that way
 Persians couldn’t land troops in Athens
 Darius turned and retreated to Persia