The Battle of Marathon
About this book
A gripping account of the pivotal battle that changed Greek military history 2,500 years ago
How did the city-state of Athens defeat the invaders from Persia, the first world empire, on the plain of Marathon in 490 BCE? Clever scholars skeptical of our earliest surviving source, Herodotus, have produced one ingenious theory after another. In this stimulating new book, bound to provoke controversy, Peter Krentz argues that Herodotus was right after all.
Beginning his analysis with the Atheniansâ first formal contact with the Persians in 507 BCE, Krentz weaves together ancient evidence with travelersâ descriptions, archaeological discoveries, geological surveys, and the experiences of modern reenactors and soldiers to tell his story.
Krentz argues that before Marathon the Athenian army fought in a much less organized way than the standard view of the hoplite phalanx suggests: as an irregularly armed mob rather than a disciplined formation of identically equipped infantry. At Marathon the Athenians equipped all their fighters, including archers and horsemen, as hoplites for the first time. Because their equipment weighed only half as much as is usually thought, the Athenians and their Plataean allies could charge almost a mile at a run, as Herodotus says they did. Krentz improves on this account in Herodotus by showing why the Athenians wanted to do such a risky thing.
Peter Krentz is W. R. Grey Professor of Classics and History, Davidson College, where he has taught Greek and Roman history since 1979.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Contents
- Foreword
- List of Illustrations
- Acknowledgments
- Chronology
- Introduction
- 1. Athensâ Alliance with Darius
- 2. Athensâ Victories Over the Boeotians and Chalcidians
- 3. The Ionian Revolt
- 4. Darius and the Greeks of Europe
- 5. The Armies Arrive at Marathon
- 6. The Plain of Marathon
- 7. When Marathon Became a Magic Word
- 8. After the Fighting
- 9. What If ?
- Appendix A. Important Ancient Sources on Marathon
- Appendix B. The Date of the Battle
- Notes
- Bibliographical Notes
- Index