The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian empire in 490 B.
C. is one of the most famous events in history. Darius, king of the Persian empire, was furious
because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian
domination. In anger the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take
drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire. Persia was ruled by one man.
In Athens, however, all citizens helped to rule. Ennobled by this participation, Athenians were
prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at
Marathon, which freed them from Persian rule. On their way to Marathon, the Persians tried to
fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened citizens of Delos
refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and
did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the Persians next conquered the
city of Etria and captured its people.
Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people went to their sanctuaries. There
they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians
refurbished their weapons and moved to the plain of Marathon, where their little band would
meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.
The Athenian army attacked, and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty
Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the
Persians in archery and hand combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian ships and burned them, and
the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died,
compared with only 192 Athenians.
Their participation___to the Athenians.