Marathon is the town just to the north of Nea Makri. Marathon has a very rich history. Many of us are familiar with the marathon race, and we have watched the Bay to Breakers and other well-known marathon races. Here is the myth behind the name:
The city-state of Athens was prospering and happy in 456 BC, but, the Persians wanted control over the Attiki Peninsula. When the rulers of Athens heard that the Persians were coming they decided to confront their enemy on the eastern coastline in the flat, marshy area of Marathon. This strategy effectively blocked the two mountain passes to Athens. The Athenians successfully held off the Persian army and finally, using a pinchers-style military attack, the Persians were defeated.
Wishing to notify their leaders of their victory and that Athens was safe from the Persians, a soldier was dispatched to run over the mountains to deliver the good news. He ran fast and hard, and arrived before the king. The dedicated soldier delivered his news and dropped dead at the king's feet.
The marathon race was adopted as an event in the original Olympics and was about 22 miles, but the distance was changed in 1908 so that the race would end at the Royal Box in London and the Princess and her family could watch the conclusion from there. It has been 26 miles and 385 yards since then.
Back to the
Marathon region, we visited the site of the Battle of Marathon, where a huge mound tomb stand
s in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives defending their freedom. We then went out to the Marathon Monument, one lone pillar in a field. The Marathon Museum has artifacts from the ancient, prehistorical buildings and graves found in the valley.
The city-state of Athens was prospering and happy in 456 BC, but, the Persians wanted control over the Attiki Peninsula. When the rulers of Athens heard that the Persians were coming they decided to confront their enemy on the eastern coastline in the flat, marshy area of Marathon. This strategy effectively blocked the two mountain passes to Athens. The Athenians successfully held off the Persian army and finally, using a pinchers-style military attack, the Persians were defeated.Wishing to notify their leaders of their victory and that Athens was safe from the Persians, a soldier was dispatched to run over the mountains to deliver the good news. He ran fast and hard, and arrived before the king. The dedicated soldier delivered his news and dropped dead at the king's feet.
The marathon race was adopted as an event in the original Olympics and was about 22 miles, but the distance was changed in 1908 so that the race would end at the Royal Box in London and the Princess and her family could watch the conclusion from there. It has been 26 miles and 385 yards since then.
Back to the
Marathon region, we visited the site of the Battle of Marathon, where a huge mound tomb stand
s in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives defending their freedom. We then went out to the Marathon Monument, one lone pillar in a field. The Marathon Museum has artifacts from the ancient, prehistorical buildings and graves found in the valley.
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