La Civilización Griega - François Chamoux
ISBN 89-95300-19-2
Miko,
I beg your pardon because my ignorance may cause this resumed translation to be not all that accurate. Also forgive me, because the Internet references was a kind of fast quotes, as I was on may workplace and altho I think I have some historical accumen, I do not remember all details properly. I did not intend to offend your highly educated intellect. The title of the book you see above mentioned is, I translate for your convenience "The Greek Civilization". Now, please, read:
Dario, King of Persia issued a punishment expedition in year 490 B.C. agains Athens and Eretria, as a retaliation for the support these two state-towns gave to the Ionian sublevation. This expedition is believed to involve some 25.000 men, taken to the place by means of sea transportation, and was commanded by Datis and Artafernes. Hipías, son of an old Athens dictator (before democracy Athens was ruled by a dictator) was among the persians and expected some degree of cooperation of athens, because he wanted to regain authority on the Áthica(sp) region with the help of Persian army.
On the way to Athens, persian fleet burned Naxos and the Cyclad islands, and surrendered Eretria after a six day siege. Assesed by Hípias, persian Army put his feet on Marathon bay (named that way after the Marathon town), shortly after.
Athens then asked Sparta for help, help denied on religious terms by spartans. Then, instead of waiting for the persians behind Athens walls, the Athens assembly, assesed by 10 strategists (among them was Milcíades) decided to put a brave face on the persians and fight them on open field. Milcíades has some war experience against persians, after some clashes in a colonial campaign years before.
Marathon bay is a small one. It has a beach and two hills near the coast on each side. Persian army was deployed just by the shoreline, backed by its fleet.
In some september dawn in the year 490, an "hoplita" (dunno the english translation, excuse my ignorance, pls) army, enforced by 1.000 soldiers sent by Platea (an Athens ally) was set up against the persian army. Milcíades split his forces in tree groups, one in front, and two flanking the persian army, on both hills.
Of course Milcíades knew the strenght of the persian archers, that's why he put the initial set up just off their range. Then he ordered a frontal assault of the center section. The persian archers shooted them, but they did not notice the flank charge. The center side of the athens were losing the battle, but the flanks of the persian army soon failed. Suffering both sides flank attack, and unable to use their archers & cavalry due to short range, persians began to die under the long spears of the Athens. They boarded their boats leaving some 6.500 corpses behind. Less than 200 casualties among the greeks.
At that very moment, greeks realised persians did not surrender yet, and were trying to land in Falero, near Athens. They made a fast march back and succeed to show themselves to the persians. Seing the shoreline defended, persians finally gave up and sailed back to their homeland.
So, this author does gives credit to Marathon being the location of a battle. I would like to know if, by your strategist and military logic mind standards, this is a valid source of documentation. If it is not, and as we are talking about Greece, please avoid looking like an absolute cretin and enlighten me with yours, the ones that entitle you to affirm that there was no war in Marathon. Please, do not state your oppinions about what makes sense or not, you've already done that. Give me facts, figures, references, as I do. If you need the bibliograpy used by the author, please ask. I can provide it.
On a different field, I do not know what makes you think that I am an ignorant. Anyway, it does not speak much in your favour that you so lightly write about me in such terms without the little knowledge you have of me. Please be so kind as to clarify this too.
Sincerely,
Pepe.
[edit note:] Sorry for my English. Mi education goes that far.
[This message has been edited by Pepino (edited 01-26-2001).]
