Poor Poor Pheidippides

As one of the earliest recorded battles, The Battle of Marathon is considered one of the most famous military engagements. It is believed the Greek’s victory over the Persians, instilled a confidence in the countries defence mechanisms. Unafraid of foreign attack, people congregated into cities and towns for the first time. These towns multiplied, each establishing cultures and traditions, thus beginning to define Greek, and even modern European culture.

Circa September 490 BC, a Persian armada of 600 ships discharged an invasion force of approximately 20,000 infantry and cavalry on Greek soil just north of Athens. Previously, Greece has been instrumental in supporting their Ionian cousins who had revolted against Persian rule.

Undaunted by the numerical superiority of the invaders, Athens mobilized 10,000 hoplite warriors to defend their territory. The two armies met on the Plain of Marathon twenty-six miles north of Athens. The flat battlefield surrounded by hills and sea was ideal for the Persian cavalry. Surveying the advantage that the terrain and size of their force gave to the Persians, the Greek generals hesitated.

Greek General, Miltiades made a passionate plea for boldness and convinced his fellow generals to attack the Persians. Miltiades ordered the Greek hoplites to form a line equal in length to that of the Persians. Then, in an act of complete and utter madness, he ordered his Greek warriors to attack the Persian line at a dead run. In the ensuing brawl, the middle of the Greek line weakened and gave way, but the flanks were able to engulf and slaughter the trapped Persians. An estimated 6,400 Persians were slaughtered while only 192 Greeks were killed.

The remaining Persians escaped on their ships and made an attempt to attack what they thought was an undefended Athens. However, the Greek warriors made a forced march back to Athens and arrived in time to thwart the Persians.

The Battle, was indeed momentous. It showed the stealth of the Greek warriors. It showed the conviction and courage of their leader Miltiades. It showed strength. It showed power. It showed hope.

And then there was Pheidippides. Poor poor Pheidippides.

As the story goes, Pheidippides, was a warrior in the great battle. Upon realising the Greek triumph, Pheidippides ran the twenty-six miles from Marathon to Athens to share news of the victory.

Robert Browning commemorated Pheidippides in his 1879 poem, Pheidippides.

“So, when Persia was dust, all cried, "To Acropolis!

Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!

Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!" He flung down his shield

Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the fennel-field

And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,

Till in he broke: "Rejoice, we conquer!" Like wine through clay,

Joy in his blood bursting his heart, - the bliss!”

Reaching Athens, Pheidippides burst into an assembly, exclaiming "Νενικήκαμεν" (Nenikékamen, 'We have won.')

Then, Pheidippides dropped dead from the exhaustion.

In Paris, April 2011, Pheidippides and I will have that in common.