The Battle of Marathon

• The Battle of Marathon
• What was Darius' aim in invading Greece?

  Capture Athens
• Failure of the battle of Marathon


  - Didn't speak the same language

  - From all over the empire so had not fought together

  - Not enough supplies

  - The Athenians charged at them and took them by surprise

  - The reduced army at Marathon were easily defeated by Miltiades and the Athenians

  - Miltiades and the Athenians got back to Athens before the Persians and were waiting for them on the shore
• What stood in the way of the Persians and what they wanted to achieve?

  The Athenian army
• Who advised the Persians of the best place to land in Greece so that they had tactical advantage in the battle?

  Hippias
• Who was in overall command of the Greek army?

  Miltiades
• Who was Phidippides sent to go and get to join the Greek forces?

  The Spartans
• What risky strategy did Datis attempt to implement?


  Split the army and sent half round to Athens
• Why did this strategy fail?


  - Miltiades launched a swift attack on the forces left behind at Marathon

  - After defeating the Persians at Marathon, Miltiades marched the army back to Athens before Persian troops arrived
• What risk did Miltiades take in order to hopefully secure a quick victory at Marathon?


  Thinned at the phalanx and suddenly ran at the Persians and attacked their centre
• After a fierce battle, what did the Persian forces do?

  Retreated to their ships