answersLogoWhite

0

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.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Ancient History

Did the athenians destroyed farms to starve Spartans into srrendering?

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.


What was the Persian strategy during the battle of marathon?

To fight desperately with its inferior infantry, as its cavalry had been embarked to make a raid on the city of Athens.


Why did king darius of Persia want to punish the athenians?

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.


Who won Persia vs Athens?

The conflict between Persia and Athens culminated in several key battles during the Greco-Persian Wars, with Athens emerging victorious at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE. This victory was significant in boosting Athenian morale and influence. Later, during the Persian invasion led by Xerxes, the Athenians again triumphed at the naval Battle of Salamis in 480 BCE, further solidifying their dominance over Persia. Ultimately, these victories marked a turning point in the wars, leading to the decline of Persian power in the region.


What did the Athenians think of the people outside of Greece?

During ancient times, Athenians thought of non-Hellenes, i.e.) people outside of Greece, as barbarians.

Related Questions

Who was the Spartan leader during the Battle of Marathon?

Spartans did not fight at the Battle of Marathon. The fight was solely between the Persians, and the Athenians and Plataeans.


Were the Athenians on the side with the Spartans during the Persian War?

Yes.


Athenians or Spartans had hubris?

The Athenians , only because they came to grief during the Peloponnesian Wars by overestimating their powers to overwhelm Sparta .


Who was the guy who betrayed the Spartans during the battle at Thermopylae?

a trader


Who was the leader of the Persians during the battle of marathon?

Datis the Mede.


What armor did they have during the battle of marathon?

Pants,vests and caps.


Who ruled the Persians during the battle of Marathon?

King Darius I.


What was the deciding battle during the first invasion of Greece by the Persians?

Marathon.


Where did the Athens troops were hiding in the battle of the marathons?

During the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, the Athenian troops were strategically positioned on the plains of Marathon, which is about 26 miles northeast of Athens. They initially concealed their forces behind the hills surrounding the plain to surprise the invading Persian army. This tactical positioning allowed the Athenians to launch a sudden and decisive attack, ultimately leading to a significant victory against a larger Persian force.


How does the battle of Marathon and Pheidippides impact modern day sporting events?

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.


What happened to Darius during the battle of Marathon?

He was in his palace at Persepolis in Persia, governing his empire.


Why was the cavalry out of fighting range during battle of marathonwhile the Persian foot soldiers were begning capture by the Athenians?

Because they did not come