Conflict has always been part and parcel of human life. While many battles were fought in the past, none left a story more compelling than the one about the battle of Marathon. Fought in 490 BC, the conflict served as a benchmark for all other wars in Greece and beyond.
The conflict started off as a result of the actions of King Darius I of Persia. Being the ruler, his plan was to capture Greece and impose his control on its people. However, he underestimated the power of the Greek army, renowned at the time for its discipline and unbreakable war formation. The battle was waged against Athenians and other states allied to them, with the Persian foot soldiers commanded by Datis and Artaphernes.
The primary motivation for the invasion was the need for a response by the Persians to the Ionian revolt. During this revolt, the Greek states of Athens and Eretria had combined forces to help drive the Persians out of Ionia. Though successful in capturing Sardis, the allied Greek forces had to retreat as they were taking heavy casualties. The eventual result was a complete crushing of the Ionian revolt by the Persians. Maddened by the attempt by the Greeks, King Darius I swore to retaliate by burning Athens and Eretria to the ground.
In the course of the Marathon battle, Athens and Sparta were famous for being the two biggest Greek cities. In 490 BC, two Persian naval commanders known as Artaphernes and Datis were ordered by King Darius I to set sail for Greece through the Aegean Sea. Their first objective once they landed was to besiege Cyclades.
Next, the besieged area would serve as an attacking base against the citizens of Athens and Eretria. During midsummer, after taking Euboea, the Persians began to attack Eretria. Once they took the city, the army departed for Attica while fixating its eyes on Marathon.
Noting the danger at hand, the Athenians combined with a small force from Plataea. They then embarked on a march to Marathon. Their primary task was to block the two routes that acted as exits from the plains of the city.
Prior to this, they had sent a messenger to ask for reinforcements from the Spartans. However, the Spartans could not reciprocate as requested due to an ongoing religious festival. According to the historian Herodotus, the messenger ran a distance of over 140 miles from Athens to Sparta, taking only a day to do so. This story spurned on to legendary status, resulting in the modern day racing event.
As customary practice during war, the Athenian commanders selected a mountainous and perilously marshy region to act as the battlefield. This decision forced the invading Persian army to break its ranks. It was then attacked from the flanks, with majority of the Persians in the middle of the Athenians.
The resulting envelope resulted in the complete wipe out of the Persians. Sensing defeat, the remainder of the invaders ran towards their ships. The greatest lesson of the story is that the Athenians were able to crush their opponents without the help of the revered Spartans.
The conflict started off as a result of the actions of King Darius I of Persia. Being the ruler, his plan was to capture Greece and impose his control on its people. However, he underestimated the power of the Greek army, renowned at the time for its discipline and unbreakable war formation. The battle was waged against Athenians and other states allied to them, with the Persian foot soldiers commanded by Datis and Artaphernes.
The primary motivation for the invasion was the need for a response by the Persians to the Ionian revolt. During this revolt, the Greek states of Athens and Eretria had combined forces to help drive the Persians out of Ionia. Though successful in capturing Sardis, the allied Greek forces had to retreat as they were taking heavy casualties. The eventual result was a complete crushing of the Ionian revolt by the Persians. Maddened by the attempt by the Greeks, King Darius I swore to retaliate by burning Athens and Eretria to the ground.
In the course of the Marathon battle, Athens and Sparta were famous for being the two biggest Greek cities. In 490 BC, two Persian naval commanders known as Artaphernes and Datis were ordered by King Darius I to set sail for Greece through the Aegean Sea. Their first objective once they landed was to besiege Cyclades.
Next, the besieged area would serve as an attacking base against the citizens of Athens and Eretria. During midsummer, after taking Euboea, the Persians began to attack Eretria. Once they took the city, the army departed for Attica while fixating its eyes on Marathon.
Noting the danger at hand, the Athenians combined with a small force from Plataea. They then embarked on a march to Marathon. Their primary task was to block the two routes that acted as exits from the plains of the city.
Prior to this, they had sent a messenger to ask for reinforcements from the Spartans. However, the Spartans could not reciprocate as requested due to an ongoing religious festival. According to the historian Herodotus, the messenger ran a distance of over 140 miles from Athens to Sparta, taking only a day to do so. This story spurned on to legendary status, resulting in the modern day racing event.
As customary practice during war, the Athenian commanders selected a mountainous and perilously marshy region to act as the battlefield. This decision forced the invading Persian army to break its ranks. It was then attacked from the flanks, with majority of the Persians in the middle of the Athenians.
The resulting envelope resulted in the complete wipe out of the Persians. Sensing defeat, the remainder of the invaders ran towards their ships. The greatest lesson of the story is that the Athenians were able to crush their opponents without the help of the revered Spartans.
About the Author:
The Battle of Marathon was an epic war that took place in ancient Persia. To read more, visit this informative website at http://ancientgreecepersia.com/greek-persian-wars.html.
Post A Comment:
0 comments:
Thanx for viewing us