Page 22 - All About History - Issue 09-14

Democracy Athenian might
Athens was the most powerful city-state in Greece
during the first Persian invasion of Greece and at
Marathon that showed, with 10,000 professional,
well-equipped and trained Athenian hoplites joining
with 1,000 Plataeans to repel the much larger
invading force. Meeting the Persian troops in a bay
near the town of Marathon, the outnumbered Greeks
overwhelmed the enemy forces with a mixture of
tactical prowess and patriotic fighting verve, driving
them from the mainland and ending their invasion.

Red rivers
Surrounded by a fresh and savage
defending force, even the famous
Persian Immortals could not resist the
Greeks, and soon the rout transformed
into slaughter, with thousands upon
thousands of the Persian soldiers cut
down. Reports indicate that tributaries
and nearby ocean waters turned red
with blood and many Persian troops
who attempted to flee inland fell into
nearby swamps and drowned. By the
battle’s end, 6,400 of the Persian army
lay dead and seven of their ships had
been destroyed or captured.

Greek charge
Accounts of the battle indicate that a key opening Persians outflanked
moment in its outcome was a high-speed and totally The second key part of the battle was the Greek
unexpected charge by the Greek forces. Prior to leader Miltiades’ decision to arrange the Greek troops
with reinforced flanks in an ox-horn arrangement. This,
Marathon, the Persian forces had become accustomed after the initial surprising charge, drew the Persians’
to repelling forces with long-range weaponry, with best troops towards the centre of the Greek lines,
thousands of bowmen picking Greek soldiers off from allowing them to be enveloped once the Persian flanks
afar. At Marathon that was not possible and driven by broke. The enlarged Athenian wings soon routed the
hatred for the invading enemy, the Greeks charged inferior Persian levies on the flanks and surrounded
hundreds of metres until they collided with the Persian the Persian centre.
front line with brutal force.
22 22