MARATHON (town in Attica)
Modern town in Attica, Greece
- Kind of place
- Town
- Region
- Attica
- People of myth here
- Cretan Bull, Hyllus
- Where
- 38.15° N, 23.96° E
A remarkable Cave of Pan is situated on the hill beyond the plain. Pausanias 1.32.7 The battle against the Persians is connected with this deme. Strabo 9.1.17 Marathon is a location where forest glades are found. Seneca, Phaedra act 1 ¶1
Described in the sources
Persian forces landed at Marathon during a war against the Athenians. Pausanias 1.14.5 +4 Marathon is a town in Attica, Greece, situated along the coast between Probalinthus and Tricorynthus, near the borders of Athens and equally distant from Athens and Carystus. Euripides, Heracleidae 1-47 +3 Marathon is described as lusty and part of the broader region of Hellas. Euripides, Heracleidae 1-47 +2 The Athenians defeated a Persian army of thirty thousand at this location, where six thousand four hundred foreigners and one hundred and ninety-two Athenians were killed. Herodotus 6.113.1 +2 The Cretan bull arrived at Marathon after crossing the Isthmus of Corinth. Apollodorus 2.5.7 +1 The Athenians previously engaged in combat with the Medes at this location. Herodotus 9.46.2 +1 A battle occurred at this location, which angered Darius against the Athenians. Herodotus 7.1.1 +1 A painting depicting the battle at Marathon was displayed in a painted portico in Athens. Pausanias 1.21.2 +1 The Athenian army marched out to this location to confront an enemy and arranged their military formation there. Herodotus 6.103.1 +1 Pisistratus seized control of the location while gathering funds and later marched from there toward Athens to attack the city. Herodotus 1.62.2 +1
Gods and worship
The people claim to be the first Greeks to recognize Heracles as a deity. Pausanias 1.32.4 The residents venerate the figure of Marathon, who gives the parish its name. Pausanias 1.32.4 The parish of Marathon dedicated an offering commemorating Theseus's sacrifice of the bull. Pausanias 1.27.10
Stories and history
Foreigners landed at this location and were subsequently defeated in battle. Athenaeus 12.5 +1 Miltiades led the Athenians to Marathon and halted the advance of the Persian army. Pausanias 2.29.4 +1 The Cretan bull harassed the inhabitants of the area and killed everyone it met, including Androgeos, the son of Minos. Apollodorus 2.5.7 +1 The Athenians who fell here were honored for their valor in combat, and spoils taken at this battle were used to create shields dedicated by Athenians. Pausanias 1.29.4 +1 Marathon destroyed a group of barbarians. Aeschylus, Persians 472-479 Panænus painted a depiction of the battle fought here. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 35.34 ¶2 Some enemy vessels were lost while departing from the land. Pausanias 1.32.3 Hippias directed the Persian forces to this specific location. Herodotus 6.102.1 The destruction at Marathon prompted the son to seek retribution. Aeschylus, Persians 472-479 Horses neighing and men fighting are audible every night at this location. Pausanias 1.32.4