Richard A. Billows: Marathon

In this comprehensive and engrossing treatment, published to coincide with the 2,500th anniversary of the historic Battle of Marathon, Billows captures the drama of the day and the ramifications it has had throughout Western history.

Published to coincide with Marathon’s 2500th anniversary, a riveting history of the historic battle The Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. is not only understood as the most decisive event in the struggle between the Greeks and the Persians, but can also be seen as perhaps the most significant moment in our collective history. 10,000 Athenian citizens faced a Persian military force of more than 25,000. Greek victory appeared impossible, but the men of Athens were tenacious and the Persians were defeated. Following the battle, the Athenian hoplite army ran 26.5 miles from Marathon to Athens to defend their port from the Persian navy. Although they had just run the great distance in heavy armor, the Athenians won the battle and drove the Persian forces from Attica. Greek freedom ensued and the achievements of the culture became much of the basis for Western civilization. In this comprehensive and engrossing treatment, Richard Billows captures the drama of that day 2500 years ago and the ramifications it has had throughout Western history.

The Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. is not only understood as the most decisive event in the struggle between the Greeks and the Persians, but can also be seen as perhaps the most significant moment in our collective history.10,000 Athenian citizens faced a Persian military force of more than 25,000. Greek victory appeared impossible, but the men of Athens were tenacious and the Persians were defeated. Following the battle, the Athenian hoplite army ran 26.5 miles from Marathon to Athens to defend their port from the Persian navy. Although they had just run the great distance in heavy armor, the Athenians won the battle and drove the Persian forces from Attica. Greek freedom ensued and the achievements of the culture became much of the basis for Western civilization.In this comprehensive and engrossing treatment, Richard Billows captures the drama of that day 2500 years ago and the ramifications it has had throughout Western history.

The Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.E. is not only the most decisive event in the struggle between the Greeks and the Persians-showing the Greeks the seemingly invincible Persians could be defeated-but, arguably a defining event for Western civilization. Richard A. Billows fully creates the atmosphere of the times and the heat of battle. Key players include the Athenian general Miltiades, who was the first to fully utilize an outfitted hoplite phalanx and who developed the groundbreaking tactics that defeated the Persian army. The legend of the Greek messenger Philippides running twenty-six miles from Marathon to Athens with the news of the Greek victory is the inspiration for our modern-day marathon race. Billows suggests, however, that the sources argue it was the entire Greek army, after fierce fighting, which marched at a rapid speed back to defend Athens. Richard A. Billows engrossingly captures the drama of the day of battle and convincingly demonstrates the flowering of classical Greek culture-and its extraordinary influence on Western culture-would almost certainly not have occurred had not the Athenians, against the odds, defeated the Persians at Marathon. Book jacket.