This Day in Ancient History

This Day in Ancient History - August 30:
The Rogue Classicist lists this as a possible date for the Battle of Marathon. This battle in the Greco-Persian Wars is now remembered mostly for the tale about the roughly 25-mile run (now, "marathon") of Pheidippides to report to the Athenians on the battle news. Please read about the origin of the term marathon.

In the summer of 490 B.C., about 25,000 Persians, under King Darius' generals, landed on the Greek Plain of Marathon.

The Spartans were unwilling to provide timely help for the Athenians had to defeat the Persians with only their allies. Read more about the Battle of Marathon and the Athenian general Miltiades.

Try the Battle of Marathon Quiz

Related:

• Euripides and Greek Tragedy
• Pre-Socratic Philosophers
• Ancient Greece in Pictures
• This Day in Ancient History: Year Calendar