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The Persians did not flee to their ships. They were embarking their cavalry to be shipped around to Athens to capture the city while the Athenian army was at Marathon - traitors were to open the gates of the city for them.

When the Athenian and allied Plataean armies, which were awaiting the arrival of reinforcements from Sparta and lurking in the hills where the Persian cavalry couldn't get at them, saw the cavalry being embarked, they ran down and defeated the inferior Persian infantry, now unprotected by its cavalry. The embarked Persian cavalry went off around the coast to Athens.

Having defeated the Persian infantry, the Athenians realised where the cavalry was headed, and all 18,000 ran back the 26 miles over the hills to Athens, arriving just in time to form up in front of the city as the Persian cavalry was being disembarked. The cavalry, frustrated, went home.

So it was the whole Athenian army which ran the first 'marathon', giving rise to today's marathon races. The difference is that, unlike our pampered athletes of today, they ran carrying shields, armour and weapons, in sandals. But then, they had the incentive of saving their families and homes.

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Q: Why did Persians flee to ships at Marathon?
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How long did the Battle of Marathon last?

The battle of Marathon ended very shortly after it began when Persians tried to flee by retreating to ships and swimming in swamps. I believe it was less than 3 hours because it started in midday and ended when the sun was still shining in the sky. I'm no history expert, just trying to help.......


Did the Persians defeat the people when they were at Marathon?

At the battle of Marathon 490 BCE the Athenians defeated the Persians.


Why were the Greeks able to beat Persians in the battle of marathon?

It was the army of Athens and its ally Plataia. They waited until the Persians were loading their cavalry on ships and attacked the inferior Persian infantry left without their cavalry support.


Why did the battle at marathon start?

The Athenian army saw an opportunity when the Persians sent their cavalry to embark on ships, and rushed down to engage the inferior Persian infantry.


Why did the battle of marathon fight?

Marathon was fought to keep the Persians from invading Athens.


What weapons did the Persians use in battle marathon?

They met them in battle a number of times such as Thermopylae and Marathon, but they also gave money, weapons, and men to some Greek states that were opposing the Persians on the other side of the Aegean.


How did the Persians feel on the battle of marathon?

disppointed


Who was was defeated by the Greeks at the Bay of Marathon?

The Athenians and their Platian allies defeated the Persians punitive expedition sent against them in a land battle on the Plain of Marathon.


Athenians defeated the Persians here in 490AD?

marathon?


Where did the Athenians defeat the Persians?

At Marathon 490 BCE.


How many Persians fought in the battle of Marathon?

About 25,000.


Who is an important leader in the Persians at the Marathon battle?

Datis.