Marathon

August [?], 490 BC

Strategic Context
A Persian rearguard has encamped on the plain of Marathon while the main force threatens Athens by sea. Former Athenian tyrant, Hippias, has accompanied the Persians in the hopes of provoking political upheaval in Athens. Most of Greece is intimidated into inaction while even the Spartans do not fight due to a religious festival; only tiny Platea comes to Athens defence. The Athenians must secure a quick victory before Athenian politics betray their cause.

Stakes

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+A Persian victory would result in the capture of Athens and the subsequent collapse of the rest of northern Greece. +An Athenian victory would allow them to march to Athens defence and repel the Persian invasion.

By Jonathan Webb, 2008

Marathon, 490 BC
Strength
Persians Datis Athenians & Plataeans Militiades 11,000 hoplites

19,000 light infantry, archers and missile throwers 1,000 cavalry

Well

Well

By Jonathan Webb, 2008

Not surprisingly, Miltiades The Athenians deploys sprint the hisgreater towards army in weight a the long, Persians, ofthin Miltiades line the across wings wings the edging push valley back ahead to those prevent of the of the the center, Persian lightly in armoured order cavalry to negate from Persians rounding the while Persian his Datis flanks. Datis extends advantage Immortals push of having his back linesignificant the accordingly thinly manned numbers to prevent Athenian of missile encirclement. center. throwers. Due Miltiades The to the Persian surprise places missile more achieved, weight throwers the onPersian underestimate his wings cavalry at the the was expense fitness on a of of the his center while hoplites foraging and assignment Datis the speed distributes and of is their only his advance; now troops ready evenly most to partake of but their places missiles in the hisbattle. heavier land harmlessly elite infantry, behind the the Immortals, Athenians. at his center.
Athenians & Plateans (Miltiades)

Athenians & Plataeans (Miltiades) 11,000 hoplites

The Immortals are Persias most elite unit which double as an imperial guard and conventional land force. Their numerical strength is always supplemented to 10,000, dead or wounded being replaced immediately. This is done to preserve the cohesion and mystique of the unit. Persians (Datis) 19,000 light infantry, archers and javelin throwers 1,000 cavalry

The Immortals

Persians (Datis)

The surprisingly, Some Not Sensing Persians Persians the danger are drown the still to greater numerically after his centre, unknowingly weight superior Miltiades of Miltiades running so orders Miltiades wings into it to marshland. push hang leaves back back. a passage The those Datis remaining of however of the retreat, lightly Persian does knowing armoured not units sense a are Persians desperate the pounded danger while enemy by to Datis the his fights wings. its Athenian Immortals Just hardest. as the The hoplites push Athenian Persian back on center the the center, beaches, thinly appears besieged manned where to on break, Athenian they three the suffer sides, center. Persian the panics majority Due wings and to the are of retreats their surprise soundly casualties. in disarray achieved, defeated Although along and the Persian retreat with thethe Persians in cavalry wings. disarray. escape was The The Persian on by a sea, the Athenians foraging Athenian cavalry counterattacks assignment wings capture surround and seven before is the only of Persian being their nowswept ships. ready centre away, to and partake begin but this in tothe allows assault battle. Datis its flanks. to organize a rearguard.
Athenians & Plateans (Miltiades)

Athenians & Plataeans (Miltiades) 11,000 hoplites

The Immortals are Persias most elite unit which double as an imperial guard and conventional land force. Their numerical strength is always supplemented to 10,000, dead or wounded being replaced immediately. This is done to preserve the cohesion and mystique of the unit. Persians (Datis) 19,000 light infantry, archers and javelin throwers 1,000 cavalry

The Immortals

Persians (Datis)

Marathon, 490 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Persians: Athenians & Plateans:

6,400 or

>200 or 2%

32%

The Athenians had little time to celebrate their victory as Athens itself was still undefended. The Greek hoplites arrived in Athens before the Persian fleet which then saw the triumphant army, hesitated and sailed away, effectively ending the Persian expedition. It would be another decade before a Persian force invaded Greece again.
By Jonathan Webb, 2008

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps

http://www.the-art-of-battle.350.com/
By Jonathan Webb, 2008