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This is not correct. "We ran" refers to the hoplite charge during the battle itself, which was notable for being a long run at full tilt (although Herodotus lik

This is not correct. "We ran" refers to the hoplite charge during the battle itself, which was notable for being a long run at full tilt (although Herodotus likely exaggerates): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126%3Abook%3D6%3Achapter%3D112%3Asection%3D3 http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%... Here's the mention of "we ran" in Hansen: https://books.google.com/books?id=lAWEPUkz5sIC&pg=PT164&lpg=PT164&dq=hoplites+%22we+ran%22+battle+of+marathon&source=bl&ots=MgSSb5r0UN&sig=0KYJUR5acjzDmHWxl6tPe-mPcg4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiyxc2t7YzYAhVmJsAKHTL4B2AQ6AEIWDAN#v=onepage&q=we%20ran&f=false https://books.google.com/books?id=lAWEPUkz5sIC&pg=PT164&lpg=... The story of Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens (and dying on arrival) is certainly apocryphal, but it's nevertheless the origin of the modern marathon.

stonewhite 9y ago
Thanks for the correction and the links.
- smogcutter 9y ago
  If you're interested in the period, check out the podcast Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. He's got a three part series on the Persians that's totally engrossing. For one thing, it's where I heard the "we ran" story about Marathon veterans. Carlin is a fantastic storyteller, and his stuff is very well researched.
danielvf 9y ago
"When they had been set in order and the sacrifices were favorable, the Athenians were sent forth and charged the foreigners at a run. The space between the armies was no less than eight stadia. [Note: One mile] "The Persians saw them running to attack and prepared to receive them, thinking the Athenians absolutely crazy, since they saw how few of them there were and that they ran up so fast without either cavalry or archers. "So the foreigners imagined, but when the Athenians all together fell upon the foreigners they fought in a way worthy of record. These are the first Hellenes whom we know of to use running against the enemy. They are also the first to endure looking at Median dress and men wearing it, for up until then just hearing the name of the Medes caused the Hellenes to panic. - It's also interesting to note that the Spartan army arrived at Marathon a day late "having marched (140 mi) in only three days."

stonewhite 9y ago

Thanks for the correction and the links.

smogcutter 9y ago
If you're interested in the period, check out the podcast Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. He's got a three part series on the Persians that's totally engrossing. For one thing, it's where I heard the "we ran" story about Marathon veterans. Carlin is a fantastic storyteller, and his stuff is very well researched.

danielvf 9y ago

"When they had been set in order and the sacrifices were favorable, the Athenians were sent forth and charged the foreigners at a run. The space between the armies was no less than eight stadia. [Note: One mile] "The Persians saw them running to attack and prepared to receive them, thinking the Athenians absolutely crazy, since they saw how few of them there were and that they ran up so fast without either cavalry or archers. "So the foreigners imagined, but when the Athenians all together fell upon the foreigners they fought in a way worthy of record. These are the first Hellenes whom we know of to use running against the enemy. They are also the first to endure looking at Median dress and men wearing it, for up until then just hearing the name of the Medes caused the Hellenes to panic. - It's also interesting to note that the Spartan army arrived at Marathon a day late "having marched (140 mi) in only three days."