The day the Greeks saved the West 2500 years ago

In September 490 BC, just 42 kilometers from Athens, a much smaller army, but full of determined warriors, managed to save their city from the Persian invasion in the legendary Battle of Marathon. As history has shown, the Athenians did not just save their city; they saved the then-born democracy and, by extension, the very course of Western civilization. Historian Richard Billows, in his book Marathon: How One Battle Changed Western Civilization, argues that in just one day, under the leadership of Miltiades, the Athenians changed the historical development of humanity. If the Persians had prevailed, Athens would have been captured by Darius I, the newborn democracy would have disappeared, and with it perhaps the very idea of democracy.

At that time, Persia was the most powerful empire in the world, dominating Asia Minor and extending into the Mediterranean. Despite the fear it caused, the Ionians rebelled. Athens and Eretria rushed to their aid, even burning Sardis, which enraged Darius. Herodotus even mentions that every night a servant reminded the king: “Remember the Athenians.” From then on, Darius vowed to destroy Athens.

Led by the generals Datis and Artaphernes, the Persians set sail with 600 triremes and about 30,000 men, in the largest landing in history up to that time. After capturing Eretria, they headed for Athens. The Athenians, about 10,000 in number along with a few Plataean allies, lined up at Marathon. Miltiades chose difficult terrain – mountainous and swampy – to hinder the Persian cavalry. The hoplites, heavily armed with spears and bronze shields, fought in a dense phalanx, crushing the lightly armed Persians in hand-to-hand combat. Miltiades reinforced the flanks of the army, left the center weaker to lure the Persians’ best warriors, and then surrounded them. Within two hours the battle was decided: the Persians fled to their ships, with the Athenians pursuing them mercilessly.

Billows Describes the result as A “miraculous Victory.” it was not an easy triumph; The persians had never been Defeated Before. the athenians found it particularly difficult to hold the Center of Their line. according to the british historian, it was the sense of freedom and participation that Democracy offered that Armed the athenians with determination. each warrior saw himself as a responsible citizen, fighting for his home and city, even covering the cost of his armor and equipment himself.

The well-known story of Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens to announce victory seems to be different from reality. According to Billows, Pheidippides first ran to Sparta to ask for reinforcements and then returned, covering a total of 435 kilometers. However, the Spartans were unable to help immediately due to a religious festival (Karchnia). Thus, it was the entire Athenian army that ran back to the city in order to catch up with the Persian armada. If they had not done so, Athens would have been left unprotected and despite the victory at Marathon, the war could have been lost.

The brilliant victory at Marathon also marked the end of the first Persian invasion of Greece. The hitherto undefeated army of Darius retreated in shame to Asia. This battle was not just a military event; it was a turning point that ensured the survival of Athenian democracy and shaped the course of Western civilization.