The Battle of Marathon | History of Marathon | Battles of History

The Battle of Marathon took place in 490BC. The Persian king, King Darius, led an army to the city of Marathon, which was near Athens. The Athenian army was greatly outnumbered so they sent a runner, Pheidippides, to run to Sparta to ask for help - as the Spartan army was one of the finest. Pheidippides ran for 2 days and 2 nights, covering 240 km. He delivered the message, but the Spartans were in the middle of a festival so said they would help afterwards. Pheidippides ran back to deliver the message that the Athenian army would have to hold back the Persians until the Spartans arrived. Luckily, General Militiades, leader of the Athenian army, was clever and arranged his army in a battle formation that pushed back the Persians! Pheidippides ran to Athens to spread the news of victory, however, after delivering the message, he died. This is where marathons originate from.