They were having a religious festival at the time and told the Athenians they would be along as soon as it was over. The Athenians lurked in the hills around the plain of Marathon to avoid the superior Persian cavalry while they waited for the Spartan army. However on the tenth day they saw the Persian cavalry being embarked on ships, took the opportunity to run down and defeat the inferior Persian unarmoured infantry without its usual cavalry protection. Having done this, they thought about where the Persian cavalry was going and realised that it was heading for undefended Athens, with traitors ready to open the gates for them as they galloped up from the port.
he Athenian army ran back over the hill the 26 miles to Athens, arriving just as the Persian cavalry was disembarking, and formed up in front of the city walls. Frustrated, the Persians re-embarked and went home. This run by the 9,000 Athenian infantry and their 9,000 light infantry is the origin of today's Marathon run. The Athenians had it much tougher than today's pampered athletes - they ran in sandals and armour carrying their shields and weapons.
The Spartan army left as soon as the festival was over, but arrived a day too late for the battle, marching on to view the battlefield, congratulated the Athenians, and went home.
Athenians initially held off the invading Spartans during the Peloponnesian War through a combination of strong naval power and defensive strategies. They relied on their superior fleet to control the sea, disrupting Spartan supply lines and conducting raids along the Peloponnesian coast. Additionally, the Athenian walls provided protection, allowing them to withstand sieges and maintain their population and resources. The strategy of avoiding direct land battles, where Spartans excelled, was crucial in prolonging their resistance.
The Athenians and other Greek city-states rebelled against Persian rule during the Ionian Revolt, which began in 499 BCE. This revolt was partly motivated by the desire for autonomy and resistance against Persian tyranny. The conflict escalated, leading to significant battles such as the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, where the Athenians achieved a notable victory against King Darius I's forces. The tensions ultimately contributed to the larger Greco-Persian Wars.
Yes, the Athenians resorted to destroying farms during the Peloponnesian War as a strategy to weaken Sparta and its allies. By targeting agricultural resources, they aimed to deprive the Spartans of food and force them into submission. This tactic was part of a broader strategy to disrupt enemy supply lines and maintain Athenian naval superiority. However, such actions also had significant repercussions on local populations and the overall war effort.
The Spartans and Athenians had conflicting political systems and values, leading to mutual distrust and animosity. Sparta was a militaristic society that prioritized discipline and collective strength, while Athens valued democracy, culture, and individual expression. Their rivalry intensified during the Peloponnesian War, where competing interests and alliances further fueled their dislike for one another. This fundamental clash of ideologies contributed to a long-standing tension between the two city-states.
King Darius of Persia sought to punish the Athenians primarily because they supported the Ionian cities during their revolt against Persian rule in 499 BCE. This support was seen as an affront to Persian authority and a challenge to his expansionist ambitions. Darius aimed to demonstrate Persian power and deter other Greek city-states from defying his rule, ultimately leading to the Persian invasion of Greece, including the famous Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE.
Spartans did not fight at the Battle of Marathon. The fight was solely between the Persians, and the Athenians and Plataeans.
The Spartans did not arrive earlier to help the Athenians during the Persian Wars primarily due to their strict military and religious obligations. They were engaged in their own festival, the Carneia, which prohibited them from taking military action. Additionally, the Spartans were cautious and wanted to assess the situation before committing their forces. This delay ultimately meant they could not assist the Athenians in time for critical battles, such as the Battle of Marathon.
Yes.
The Athenians , only because they came to grief during the Peloponnesian Wars by overestimating their powers to overwhelm Sparta .
a trader
From 490 to 479 B.C., the Athenians primarily fought against the Persian Empire during the Greco-Persian Wars. Major battles included the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. and the naval Battle of Salamis in 480 B.C. The conflict culminated in the Persian defeat at the Battle of Plataea in 479 B.C., which significantly weakened Persian influence in the region and bolstered Athenian power.
The battle you're referring to is the Battle of Marathon, fought in 490 BC during the first Persian invasion of Greece. The Athenians achieved a surprising victory against the larger Persian forces. Following the battle, the messenger Phidippides is said to have run approximately 26.2 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory, which is the inspiration for the modern marathon race. His legendary run symbolizes endurance and the spirit of victory.
Datis the Mede.
Pants,vests and caps.
King Darius I.
Marathon.
When the Persians landed a force at Marathon to attack Athens, the Athenians sent Pheidippides to ask the Spartans to help them. He ran the 120 miles to Sparta and back and died of exhaustion on his return. The Athenians were forced to fight the Persian before the Spartans arrived. After they defeated the Persian infantry, they realised that the Persian cavalry's absence was due to it being rowed around the coast to attack Athens in their absence. So the 9,000 Athenian armoured soldiers ran back to Athens and formed up in front of the city just as the Persian cavalry was being disembarked and preparing to gallop up and take the city with traitors opening the gates for them. So Pheidippides was dead. It was the Athenian army which ran the 26 miles to Athens, not him giving the good news of the battle lf Marathon (which is the fake story peddled today). This run by the Athenian army is celebrated today by the marathon race of 26 miles held during the Olympic Games and elsewhere for distance runners. The difference is that today's brave runners don't carry armour and weapons and wear sandals.