the original marathon - why it's important

As I remember a number of friends today running marathons this spring, a reminder of why this event is important.  A struggle of east vs. west, Persia against Athens of Greece in 490 BC.  The Persians were stopped at the gates of Europe on the Plain of Marathon.  If it had gone the other way, the last 2500 years of history would have been very different.  Forget democracy, the Enlightenment.  Think tyranny and despotism.  This is an old, traditional view of history, but one with a lot of truth in it.

Unforeseeing one! Yes, he fought on the Marathon day:

So, when Persia was dust, all cried "To Akropolis!              

Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!

'Athens is saved, thank Pan,' go shout!" He flung down his shield,

Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the Fennel-field   

And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,  

Till in he broke: "Rejoice, we conquer!" Like wine thro' clay,

Joy in his blood bursting his heart, he died--the bliss!

Poem Pheidippides, Robert Browning

Prompted by a BBC History Podcast.

-Larry