The Greek Empire And Persian Empire Battle

By Daniel Meyer


This battle has became one of the famous engagements of military. This is also one of the recorded battles in the earliest times. The victory over Persian invaders has given the Greeks a confidence in having the ability of defending themselves and they continue to believe for their existence. This battle was then considered as one defining moment for developing European culture.

During 490 BC, having an approximately 20,000 infantries and cavalries and 600 ships, the Persians invaded the Athens, passing through Greek soil. The main mission is crush the Greeks state in the retaliation of lonion cousins support that has revolted against Persian rules. Athens, who remain undaunted, mobilized immediately their 10,000 warriors to defend the territory. These two armies met at plain of Marathon, 26 miles from Athens, north. This marks the beginning for Battle of Marathon.

The plain is surrounded by sea and many hills and is very ideal for Persian cavalry. One Greek general, Miltiades, has made a plea and has convinced the other generals to attack Persians. He then ordered their warriors in forming a line the same as the length of opponents. He also ordered the warriors to attack the line in dead run. But during the war, the middle line of Greeks had been weakened and have given way but their flanks engulfed and slaughtered the opponents that were being trapped. Ann estimated number of killed people were 6,400 Persians and 192 Greeks.

Remaining opponents have escaped immediately by the use of ships but still, they attempted on attacking those undefended Athens. When the war has not yet started, Athenian generals, according to their opinions, were divided. Some chooses to not take risks because they only acquire a few number people compared to their opponent.

While other generals prefer to fight, specifically those having fighting experiences. Miltiades is one of these warrior generals. Miltiades after hearing their opinions, asked his fellow generals to come with for a conference in the polemarch. A polemarch is the honored dignitary of Athenian people.

During the conference, Miltiades stated that if they do not fight, he can see that great disturbance of Athens that may possibly shake the resolutions of men. Therefore, he fears that the people might be submitting themselves. But if they are going to fight, surely, they can overcome their enemy. And because of these words, he was given the title, thus, the polemarch was in favor for fighting.

After the battle, there are a lot of explanations for the victory of Greeks. Some scholars have said that they acquired better equipment and that they also have used the superior tactics. However, then equipment that have been used were not made of bronze Armour but linen or leather. Another reason is the formation of Greek phalanxes is successful compared to Persian soldiers.

The strategies used by Persians are believed to be made out of tactical considerations. So to any events that are said to have triggered the war, Athenian surely altered these strategic and tactical balances to attack their enemies. Other theories are also stated for considerations but are not mentioned here.

At the Marathon, Athenian warriors had thinned their center so they can have an equal length with their opponent and not for tactical planning. In this time, the Persians realized that the wings are broken. Thus, they tried to recur, but they were caught by the Greek wings.




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