Before "The 300 Spartans"

The Journey of a Random Fact

Michael Round

September 2, 2009

The story of "The 300 Spartans" is well known now.  Persian forces, led by King Xerxes, rounded the Aegean Sea to conquer the independent Greek States.  Leonidas, Spartan King, led a group of 300 Spartans to the Pass of Thermopalyae, and held off the advancing Persian Army, numbering close to a quarter-million, for days.

All Spartans were killed.

Incidentally, I like the earlier version of "The 300 Spartans" much better than the recent release - plus, the earlier version features one of my favorite actors: Ralph Richardson.

But I digress.

Xerxes, of course, was the son of Darius I, former King of Persia, who also had dreams of conquering the independent Greek states.

But rather than circling the Aegean Sea (as Xerxes eventually did), Darius I proposed to island hop across it, first landing - and destroying - four islands in the process.  On to Greece.  But where to launch the main attack?

The Athenians received information of the impending invasion,  and wanted help.  The logical choice was Sparta, approximately 150 miles to the southwest, and not an easy journey.

They sent a runner.

Sparta would not help until their religious festivities were concluded.

The runner returned to Athens with the news.  The Athenians were on their own.  If they merely played defense, they'd be crushed.  What was the alternative?  Attack a huge, invading army?  You'd still be crushed!

Unless ...

Before the Persians could land their cavalry, the Athenians decided to attack at Marathon.

The Persians were routed, fleeing in a state of "Pan"ic.

The runner ran - again - from the battlefield near the town of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory.

"WE HAVE WON!"

He then collapsed and died on the spot.

He was, of course, Pheidippides.

How much of this story is true?  I don't know.  How much of the above story do I have to clean up?  Probably a lot!  How much is there to learn in researching the story?  A lot.  Here's just a bit of the specifics covered above:

Fast Forward to the 19th Century

English Poet Robert Browning, learning of the story of Pheipippides, wrote the following poem:

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!

And it was THIS poem that inspired the Modern Olympic Committee to create a long race, a popularizing event, recalling the ancient glory of Greece!

The Marathon!

Of course, the initial Marathon was NOT 26 miles, 385 yards, as all are.  And therein lies another great research project!

Lots of unbelievable research, history, coming to life, all starting from a single line of history:

Pheidippides:  Died September 2, 480 BC