Running into the Ground
On this date 2495 years ago, the badly outnumbered Greek army beat the Persians at Marathon. (At least that's what I've read - how accurate are these experts about dates so long ago?)
Well, whenever it was, the Greek victory at Marathon gave rise to two important developments; Western civilization and the marathon race. Like an increasing number of people, I have participated in both.
If the Greeks had lost, say some people, Western civilization would have been doomed, since most of its important political and philosophical ideas (like democracy) came from Greece and would have died in the cradle if Persia had conquered. Simple concept.
The marathon race is a little more complex. It came about, as we all know, because a runner named Phidippides took off for Athens right after the battle and ran the 25 miles in about three hours. See, over the previous few days, Phidippides had gone to and come back from Sparta to ask for their help in fighting the Persians, and Sparta had agreed to go to war, but not for a few days for religious reasons. After the round trip, Phidippides fought with the Greeks (in full armor, apparently) as they beat the Persians back to the sea. The Persians headed for Athens, hoping to gain a foothold there, and Phidippides dashed off ahead of them to tell the Athenians about the victory at Marathon and the approaching Spartans so they wouldn't lose heart and let the Persians beat them. It worked, too; the Athenians held the Persians off and saved Western civilization. They couldn't save Phidippides, though. After all that exertion, he gasped out his good news and dropped dead, either on the spot or a couple of days later, depending on who you believe.
So in his honor, the marathon race came to be. It's now 26.2 miles because way back in the 1800's, the Olympics were held in London and Queen Victoria wanted to watch the end of the race. Unfortunately, the finish line was 1.2 miles away from Buckingham Palace, so they extended the race by that distance so Victoria could watch - they couldn't possibly ask the queen to get into a coach and drive down the road, of course.
No, I'm not making this up.
As for me, I ran a full marathon about 10 years ago in Washington DC. Took me a little over seven hours. I'm no Phidippides, but I finished it, and I've barely run a step since. Sue me.
In any case, happy anniversary to Western civilization and the marathon race, and Phidippides, I'm sorry you died, but you would be dead by now anyway.
Benshlomo says, I've only got one question - if they were so anxious to honor the runner, why didn't they name the race "the Phidippides"?
Well, whenever it was, the Greek victory at Marathon gave rise to two important developments; Western civilization and the marathon race. Like an increasing number of people, I have participated in both.
If the Greeks had lost, say some people, Western civilization would have been doomed, since most of its important political and philosophical ideas (like democracy) came from Greece and would have died in the cradle if Persia had conquered. Simple concept.
The marathon race is a little more complex. It came about, as we all know, because a runner named Phidippides took off for Athens right after the battle and ran the 25 miles in about three hours. See, over the previous few days, Phidippides had gone to and come back from Sparta to ask for their help in fighting the Persians, and Sparta had agreed to go to war, but not for a few days for religious reasons. After the round trip, Phidippides fought with the Greeks (in full armor, apparently) as they beat the Persians back to the sea. The Persians headed for Athens, hoping to gain a foothold there, and Phidippides dashed off ahead of them to tell the Athenians about the victory at Marathon and the approaching Spartans so they wouldn't lose heart and let the Persians beat them. It worked, too; the Athenians held the Persians off and saved Western civilization. They couldn't save Phidippides, though. After all that exertion, he gasped out his good news and dropped dead, either on the spot or a couple of days later, depending on who you believe.
So in his honor, the marathon race came to be. It's now 26.2 miles because way back in the 1800's, the Olympics were held in London and Queen Victoria wanted to watch the end of the race. Unfortunately, the finish line was 1.2 miles away from Buckingham Palace, so they extended the race by that distance so Victoria could watch - they couldn't possibly ask the queen to get into a coach and drive down the road, of course.
No, I'm not making this up.
As for me, I ran a full marathon about 10 years ago in Washington DC. Took me a little over seven hours. I'm no Phidippides, but I finished it, and I've barely run a step since. Sue me.
In any case, happy anniversary to Western civilization and the marathon race, and Phidippides, I'm sorry you died, but you would be dead by now anyway.
Benshlomo says, I've only got one question - if they were so anxious to honor the runner, why didn't they name the race "the Phidippides"?
posted by benshlomo at 3:00 PM
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