The Idea of Marathon: Battle and Culture

(Paperback)

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The Battle of Marathon changed the course of history in ancient Greece. To many, the impossible seemed to have been achieved - the mighty Persian Empire halted in its advance. What happened that day, why was the battle fought, and how did people make sense of it This bold new history of the battle examines how the conflict unfolded and the ideas attached to it in antiquity and beyond. Many thought the battle offered lessons in how people should behave, with heroism to be emulated and faults to be avoided. While the battle itself was fought in one day, the battle for the idea of Marathon has lasted ever since. After immersing you in the battle, this work will help you to explore how the ancient Athenians used the battle in their relations between themselves and others, and how the battle continued to be used to express ideas about gods, empire, and morality in the age of Alexander and his successors, at Rome and in Greece under the Roman Empire, and in the ages after antiquity, even in our own era, in which Marathon plays a remarkable role in sport, film, and children's literature with each retelling a re-imagining of the battle and its meaning. A clash of weapons, gods, and principles, this is Marathon as you've never seen it before!

Reviews

Clearly and engagingly written ... The great strength of this book is not just in its recreation of the narrative of the battle or excellent discussion of the historiographic problems surrounding it ... but also in its exploration of cultural history. Another particularly strong feature is that the book accords the Persians an integral place in the story and gives Persian cultural receptions of the battle their due ... This is a very good, stimulating book. * The Classical Review *
A well thought out and organised treatment, clearly and economically written ... this is a good and worthwhile book. * Classics for All *
Nevins book is an important contribution to the study of ancient Greek warfare. * The Journal of Hellenic Studies *
Sonya Nevins sensible examination of the Battle of Marathon is a carefully crafted study of myth-busting importance. As she weaves together the story, she manages to give the Persians their rightful place in the battle without losing sight of the brilliance of the Greek effort. Balanced studies of this kind are much needed. -- Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Professor and Chair of Ancient History, Cardiff University, UK

Author Bio

Sonya Nevin is an Affiliated Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Cambridge, UK.